§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will outline his policies as they impinge upon meassures concerning the safety and the welfare of pupils on the school site with specific reference to the need for schools to be secure from casual visitors and passers by; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what is his assessment of whether the infant and primary schools of Wales are safe and secure from the point of view of the personal safety of the children during school hours; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsIt is the responsibility of individual local education authorities to ensure the health and safety of all children attending schools within their area. With regard to grant-maintained schools, this responsibility falls to the governing body of each school. Clearly, security is an important issue and local authorities and schools have a wealth of national guidance and advice to draw upon. They 625W can also seek the assistance of the local police as necessary. I am satisfied that local education authorities and schools take these responsibilities seriously.