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Fresh Start
Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of recent developments in fresh start schools; and if he will make a statement. [115289]
Ms Estelle Morris: The fresh start policy has been used to tackle schools with a long history of failure. These schools all present major challenges, and we are learning from the experiences of the first schools to identify and share the most successful strategies. The first three schools which opened in September 1998 have demonstrated improvements in examination success and reductions in truancy. We want all fresh schools to be equally successful and to change the life chances of their pupils. The alternative of continuing failure is unacceptable.
Education Services (Islington)
Mr. Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the powers and functions of Islington Local Education Authority following the award of the contract for the provision of education services to Cambridge Education Associates. [115628]
Ms Estelle Morris [holding answer 21 March 2000]: I am placing a copy of the enabling direction from the Secretary of State for Education and Employment and a summary table in the Library. These detail the distribution of statutory functions across Islington LEA and the contractor, CEA, from 1 April 2000.
Schools (Lancaster and Wyre)
Mr. Dawson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the schools in Lancaster and Wyre which have had major capital improvements since 1 May 1997. [115636]
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Jacqui Smith
[holding answer 21 March 2000]: Schools in Lancaster and Wyre that have had major capital improvements since 1 May 1997 are:
Dr. Cable:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 27 January 2000, Official Report, column 310W, on special needs, what progress he has made with the setting up of an emotional and behavioural difficulties advisory group; and if he will publish the names and relevant expertise of its members. [115801]
Jacqui Smith:
The Advisory Group on Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (EBD) met for the first time on 28 February. It will meet regularly over the next few months and work with officials dealing with EBD and Child Mental Health Issues. The members of the Advisory Group are as follows:
Baines School
Central Lancaster County High
Hodgson High Technology College
Lancaster Ripley St. Thomas Church of England Secondary
Lancaster Royal Grammar
Lancaster Girls Grammar
Millfield High
Over Wyre St. Aiden's Church of England High
Brookfield School.
Bernard Allen, Headteacher, Southfield School, Wokingham
Marion Bennathan, Chair, Association of Workers for Children with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties
Kathie Bull, HMI, EBD Specialist, Ofsted
Gerry Gamble, Chair of National Association of EBD Special Schools, head of Notton House School
Dr. Bob Jezzard, Department of Health adviser and child psychologist
Eleni Ionnides, Head of Children's Services, Swindon Council
Chris Marshall (Ofsted), Senior HMI responsible for SEN
David Moore, HMI responsible for pupil behaviour issues
Richard Rollinson, Principal Mulberry Bush School, Whitney
Allan Sigston, Assistant Principal Education Psychologist, Essex
Stephen Twigg, Behaviour Support Team, Langdon School, Newham
Trevor Williams, LEA Adviser (EBD), Lancashire LEA
Peter Wilson, Director Young Minds.
DfEE officials working in the Special Educational Needs Division (EBD Team) provide the chair and secretariat for the group.
Heart Disease
12. Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary and the Health Secretary on treatment for heart disease in Wales. [114273]
Mr. Hanson:
My right hon. Friend and I are in constant discussion with the First Secretary and the Assembly Health Secretary on various health issues affecting Wales. The Budget yesterday gave the Assembly the money
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needed to take the NHS in Wales to the top of the European league--an annual average real terms increase of 5.6 per cent. over the next four years.
13. Mr. Ruane:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the impact of Government economic policy in Wales. [114274]
Mr. Paul Murphy:
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire (Ms Lawrence).
14. Miss McIntosh:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary on the co-ordination of policies on rural affairs. [114275]
Mr. Paul Murphy:
I meet the First Secretary on a regular weekly basis and we discuss a range of issues including the co-ordination of policies on rural affairs.
15. Mr. Fabricant:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he will meet the Secretary of State for Defence to discuss MOD involvement in the provision of mountain rescue teams in Snowdonia, the Brecon Beacons and other Welsh mountain ranges. [114276]
Mr. Paul Murphy:
I meet my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence regularly when we discuss a range of issues.
RAF St. Athan and Stafford provide a rescue service for Wales. Each team consists of about 30 volunteers and five full-time members and trains regularly with its civilian counterparts for the best possible co-operation and effectiveness.
16. Mr. Win Griffiths:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received about the provisions contained in the Local Government Bill [Lords]. [114277]
Mr. Hanson:
Both my right hon. Friend and I have received a number of representations about the Local Government Bill, including correspondence from interested and personal representations from representatives of the Welsh Local Government Association and of local authorities in Wales.
17. Mr. Paterson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary on proposals for the Welsh dairy industry. [114278]
Mr. Paul Murphy:
I meet the First Secretary on a regular weekly basis and we discuss a wide range of issues including the Welsh dairy industry. I met a delegation from the National Union of Farmers on 15 March.
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18. Ms Julie Morgan:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to introduce legislation to implement the recommendations of the north Wales child abuse inquiry. [114279]
Mr. Paul Murphy:
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Clwyd, South (Mr. Jones).
19. Mr. Swayne:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will amend the Wales Act 1998 with respect to the appointment of members of the National Assembly Executive. [114280]
20. Mr. Simon Thomas:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met representatives of the farming industry in Wales to discuss farming in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [114281]
Mr. Paul Murphy:
I last met representatives from the farming industry in Wales on 15 March when I received a delegation from the National Union of Farmers.
21. Mrs. Ann Winterton:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the impact of the Government's anti-drug abuse strategy on young people in Wales. [114282]
Mr. Hanson:
I have met the First Secretary and the UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator to discuss the implications of the Government's anti-drug abuse strategy for Wales. The Assembly will be issuing a refocused strategy for Wales which will continue to place an emphasis on prevention with children and young people under 25, but will recognise the need for work with individuals of all ages.
Mr. Chope:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met the UK Drugs Co-ordinator to discuss the prevalence of soft drugs in Wales. [114269]
Mr. Hanson:
I met the UK Drugs Co-ordinator and the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales on Wednesday 20 October 1999 when we discussed issues relating to substance misuse in Wales.
22. Mr. Wigley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales concerning the Welsh Affairs Committee report on European Structural Funds, Session 1999-2000 (HC 46). [114283]
Mr. Paul Murphy:
I meet the First Secretary regularly and we discuss a range of issues. In addition, our officials have been working together to respond to those recommendations which require a joint response and the UK Government will be submitting its response shortly.
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