§ Baroness Hamweeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they consider that publication by the Department for Education of its draft circular on sex education in schools in December 1993 for response by mid-February 1994 gives sufficient time for consideration by, amongst others, school governors.
§ Baroness BlatchYes. The consultation period lasts for over two months and the draft circular builds on helpful responses to an earlier consultative draft issued in April 1993. Brief details of the new arrangements for sex education were also sent to the chairmen of governors and headteachers of all maintained schools in August 1993. Copies of the current draft circular were sent to local education and health authorities and other organisations, including those representing the interests of school governors nationally, many of which have already responded.