§ Mr. CartwrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to ensure that school governors are made aware of the health and safety provisions of the Education Reform Act before local financial management of schools is brought into operation.
§ Mr. ButcherThe Department's guidance on implementing local management of schools, circular 7/88, deals with responsibilities for health and safety. A copy has been sent to the chairmen of governing bodies of all primary and secondary schools. The guide to the law, being sent to all school governors, reminds them that schools with delegated budgets will have to comply with their local authority's policy for health and safety.
§ Mr. CartwrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schemes under which industrial and commercial companies sponsor local schools are known to his Department; what assessment has been made of the value of such schemes; and whether he plans to encourage their development.
§ Mr. ButcherThere are many types of link activities between schools and industry. Some involve written agreements between employers and local schools, such as the new compacts initiative; others are less formal. In436W addition, the city technology college initiative provides an opportunity for the direct sponsorship of schools by companies. The Government welcome such activities as a valuable means of extending the experiences of pupils and teachers, and enriching the curriculum.