HC Deb 17 May 1988 vol 133 c387W
26. Mr. Teddy Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has received from education authorities about the attendance levels of pupils aged 15 years; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

Local education authorities are not required to submit information about school attendance levels to my right hon. Friend. In consequence, there are no centrally-held statistics on the attendance rates of pupils aged 15 years.

Her Majesty's Inspector is this year undertaking specific exercises to examine good practice in fostering high rates of attendance. The Department intends to draw on Her Majesty's Inspector's findings for a circular which will follow up circular 2/86 on school attendance and education welfare services.