§ Mr. SillarsTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what correspondence he has received from Nithsdale road484W consequently it is not possible to identify separately the average cost per job promoted. The average cost for all jobs assisted during 1987–88 was £9,362. Job realisation figures could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
link-up group expressing concern about supervision of children in school playgrounds; what reply he has sent; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythMy right hon. and learned Friend has received representations from the Nithsdale road link-up group and many other expressions of concern from parents and parents' groups about the absence or inadequacy of playground supervision in education authority schools generally.
Local arrangements for playground supervision are for education authorities, who have a duty of care at common law for pupils at their schools. The Government share the concern of parents that children should be properly cared for, and have made provision of £4 million within total education provision for 1989–90 to enable authorities to discharge their duty in this matter.
A new clause—which would have the effect of putting a statutory duty on authorities to provide adequate levels 485W of supervision of pupils—has been tabled for discusion by my hon. Friend the Member for Eastwood (Mr. Stewart) in the Committee which is currently considering the Self-Governing Schools Etc. (Scotland) Bill. The hon. Gentleman may wish to attend the public gallery to listen to the debate.