Duty of Boards of Management as Regards Recorded Children

Part of Orders of the Day — Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Bill – in the House of Commons at 4:15 pm on 5 February 1992.

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Photo of Mr Tam Dalyell Mr Tam Dalyell , Linlithgow 4:15, 5 February 1992

I agree with the Minister. There is no argument between us that, in this particular circumstance, expense is not the paramount consideration. That was why I phrased my question rather carefully when I asked whether any facts were easily available about the likely cost of the needs of recorded children. Perhaps I should have known, but, to put it bluntly, I did not.

May I raise another issue following the Minister's answer, which should be dealt with at this stage? The Scottish Community Education Council wanted to table an amendment to clause 2(b) so that it would read: The duty remaining with education authorities in respect of further education shall include community education which encompasses adult education, youth work, and the educational aspects of community development. Why does the Bill not place on local authorities an explicit duty to provide community education?

The educational value of youth work in Scotland which forms an integral part of community education is unquestioned, so why does not the Bill explicitly recognise the duty to provide community education? The Minister may say that that duty is implicit in the Bill, but Esther Roberton and her colleagues at the council—I confess to another telephone call this morning—took a rather different view. I think that they at least deserve an answer.

The athletic Parliamentary Private Secretary has returned—