§ Mr. BradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if her Department will issue guidance to schools as to the circumstances in which(a) permanent exclusion and (b) fixed period exclusion are appropriate for pupils found to be taking or in possession of illegal drugs at school. [59903]
§ Mr. Ivan LewisExisting guidance on pupil exclusion is contained in Circular 10/99, copies of which are in the Library. My Department will issue revised guidance on exclusion towards the end of this year which will clarify when exclusion is appropriate for incidents connected with illegal drugs including their use and possession in school.
Drugs have no place in our schools and we recently announced a package of new measures designed to tackle the problem. Details are in my Department's Press Notice of 21 May, copies of which are in the Library.