Sex Education in Schools (Hansard, 27 July 2000)

§ Baroness Blackstone

DfEE Ministers and officials maintain close relationships with the Church of England Education Service (as well as representatives of other faith groups) as a matter of course on all education matters. A number of Church representatives commented on the draft sex and relationship education guidance issued for consultation on 16 March. DfEE Ministers discussed in detail with the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Blackburn, in his capacity as Chairman of the Church of England Education Service, and Archbishop Nichols, in his capacity as Chairman of the Department for Education and Formation of the Bishops' conference of England and Wales, the government amendment to the Learning and Skills Bill introduced by the Government at Lords Third Reading in March. Subsequent to the defeat of this amendment, the Government drew up a further amendment, introduced in another place. The Bishop of Blackburn also introduced a further amendment at Lords Consideration of Commons amendments. There was an exchange of information between the Government and the Bishop of Blackburn about this amendment, but no negotiation. The Secretary of State has in the course of the last six months had a range of discussions and correspondence with a variety of organisations and representatives as part of the formal consultation on the guidance.