HC Deb 01 February 1990 vol 166 c334W
39. Mr. Bowis

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the progress of integrated education.

Dr. Mawhinney

There are at present 10 integrated schools operating in Northern Ireland of which seven have achieved maintained status. The Education Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 1989, which comes into operation on 20 February 1990, introduces provisions that will facilitate the development of integrated schools and which will, I hope, increase the opportunity to opt for integrated education for those parents who wish it for their children.

These provisions do not seek to impose integrated schools and the rate of progress will be determined entirely by parental demand.