Education Action Zones

HC Deb 24 July 1998 vol 316 c700W

Mr. Martyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the education action zones designated for Wales. [51619]

Mr. Hain

There are no designated Education Zones in Wales at present. Under Clause 10 of the School Standards and Framework Bill provisions relating to Education Action Zones (EAZs) do not apply in Wales, though the Secretary of State may introduce them at a later date. In the Education White Paper for Wales,Building Excellent Schools Together, published in July last year, the Welsh Office pledged to consult widely before introducing EAZs. Any final decision on the introduction of EAZs in Wales is likely to be a matter for the National Assembly and will be informed by the outcome of any consultation exercise and the experience of EAZs in England.