§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the reasons for the delay in presenting legislation to make statutory provision for the new upper tier of administration in the Catholic-maintained sector of education in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement regarding the respective responsibility of the Roman Catholic Council and the board of governors of each Roman Catholic maintained school for the employment of teachers at present.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThere has been no delay. The necessary legislation will be included in a proposal for a draft Order in Council which the Government intend to publish next spring and which will also incorporate the education reforms for Northern Ireland. Pending statutory provision for the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools an interim council has been established.
Teachers in Catholic maintained schools will continue to be employed by individual boards of governors until the statutory council has been established.