§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will introduce the legislation relating to the establishment of the new Council for Catholic Maintained Schools separately from the overall Order in Council for changes in the education system in Northern Ireland;
(2) whether the forthcoming legislation relating to the establishment of the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools will restrict itself to (a) procedures for the appointment, promotion, dismissal and disciplining of teachers, (b) procedures to centrally appoint and employ all teachers in Roman catholic maintained schools and be responsible for their deployment and (c) the oversight of schools management and co-ordinate planning and rationalisation within the maintained schools sector, as outlined in the document issued on 30 July 1987 by the Northern Ireland information service;
(3) whether the functions proposed for the education and library boards in relation to maintained schools, as outlined in the document "Education in Northern Ireland—Proposals for Reform," remain unaffected by the establishment of the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools; and whether he will make it his policy in any future legislation that this body will have advisory functions only.
§ Dr. MawhinneyIt remains the Government's intention that the legislation to establish the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools will be included in the proposal for a draft Order in Council which will give effect to the education reforms for Northern Ireland.
The draft order will describe the proposed functions of the council and its publication next year will provide an opportunity for further consultation.