HC Deb 16 March 2004 vol 419 c237W
Jim Knight

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if his Department will issue guidance to local education authorities on the economic impact on tourism of adopting a six-term school year. [161214]

Mr. Miliband

Proposals for a standard six-term school year have been developed by an Independent Commission on the School Year which was established by the Local Government Association. The commission included representation from the tourism industry. My right hon. Friend sees merit in the argument for standardising the length of school terms. Decisions on school term dates and holidays however continue to be the responsibility of individual local education authorities or school governing bodies, depending on the category of school.