HC Deb 08 April 1998 vol 310 cc343-4W
Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the recent Audit Commission report on children who are excluded from school. [38185]

Ms Estelle Morris

The Audit Commission report, "Misspent Youth", noted that a significant proportion of juvenile offenders had been excluded from school. We believe that the figures for permanent exclusions from schools are too high and are reviewing our approach to this issue in the light of the Education and Employment Select Committee's report, "Disaffected Children (Fifth Report, 1997–98)" and the forthcoming report of the Social Exclusion Unit.

Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received on the level of school exclusions in the West Midlands. [38184]

Ms Estelle Morris

None.