§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what changes he has made in his policy on a reduction from five education and library boards to four such boards since the publication of the document, "Accountability through Partnerships." [30455]
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§ Mr. AncramThere is no record of a document called "Accountability through Partnerships" but the document "Educational Administration in Northern Ireland" published in 1993, to which we presume that the hon. Member refers, contained a number of options for change to the present arrangements for educational administration and analysed the advantages and disadvantages of a rationalisation of the present five-board system.
Following consultation on that document, all these options were reappraised and the Government have been consulting on a proposal that the number of education and library boards should be reduced from five to four. The consultation period has recently ended and the Government will wish to take account of all comments received before making any final decision.