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Secondary Schools: Value Added Pilot
Lord Lucas asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What responses they have received to their consultation on the secondary schools performance tables value added pilot; and when these will be published.[HL3150]
Baroness Ashton of Upholland: There has been a good response to our evaluation of the 2001 secondary school performance tables value added pilot. We have received 126 responses to the questionnaire published alongside the tables, comprising 91 of the 200 schools who participated in the pilot; 26 local education authorities; and nine from assorted organisations and other interested parties. In addition, 125 schools attended a series of focus groups which examined in some detail the methodology used in the pilot.
The main findings from the evaluation underpin our plans for the publication of value added measures for all schools in this year's secondary school performance tables, which are discussed in a consultation document to be published on 19 March. A full report of the evaluation, including all technical aspects, will be published by 31 March. Copies will be made available on request. Barry
Lord Lucas asked Her Majesty's Government:
- For what reasons schools were allowed to exclude pupils from the value added pilot to produce coverage percentages of less than 100 per cent; and which of these reasons will be permitted when the full tables are published.[HL3151]
Baroness Ashton of Upholland: A coverage indicator was published in the secondary school value added pilot performance tables to show the proportion of
pupils that had been included in the calculation of the value added measures. There were several reasons why pupils might not have been included in those calculations. The main reason was that no prior attainment could be found for the pupil from which to measure progress to the next key stage of their education. This is predominantly an issue with pupils whose earlier education was not assessed through the National Curriculum—for example, those in independent schools which do not participate in National Curriculum assessment arrangements. Schools are not offered the option of choosing which pupils should or should not be included in calculations.Our proposals for the publication of value added measures for all secondary schools in this year's performance tables are set out in a consultation document to be published on 19 March. We propose no change to the rules tested in the pilot which govern the coverage of pupils in the value added calculations and intend not to publish the value added scores for schools where coverage falls below 50 per cent of pupils.
Historic Ships
Baroness Anelay of St Johns asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether it is permissible to list an historic ship under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990; and, if not, what are their plans to amend the Act accordingly.[HL3065]
The Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Baroness Blackstone): An historic ship can only be listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 if it can be demonstrated that the vessel has a longstanding permanent home. Moveable objects cannot be added to the list, and there are currently no plans to amend the 1990 Act to allow such objects to be listed. Barry
Ports of Entry: Security
Baroness David asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What steps they have taken, in the light of the events of 11 September, to install radioactivity measuring devices at ports of entry into the United Kingdom in order to monitor the imports of radioactive materials. [HL1771]
The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn): As a result of the attacks in America in September last year, reviews have been undertaken of the security arrangements we have in place to counter the new threats that now exist to this country. That has resulted in a number of new measures and initiatives. For obvious reasons I do not propose to give details of these.
Northern Ireland Police Service
Lord Kilclooney asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What progress has been made towards the recruitment of 1,000 civilians in the Police Service of Northern Ireland; and whether the employment of these civilians will result in a reduction of the number of police officers in the Police Service of Northern Ireland below the figure of 7,500. [HL2894]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The main purpose of civilianisation in the context of Patten is to free up police officers for operational duty. There are no plans to reduce regular numbers either by civilianisation or othewise below 7,500.
The question of recruiting additional civilian staff is under consideration by the chief constable and will be addressed within the overall context of a human resource strategy requested by the Policing Board. Janice
Republic of Ireland President: Police Escort
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 13 February (WA 166) concerning the members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the wearing of poppies at a function at Balmoral in November 2001, whether any specific guidance
- was sought from officers concerned about their course of action; and what was the advice. [HL3004]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: I refer the noble Lord to my Answers of 10 December 2001 (WA 177), 10 January 2002 (WA 125) and 13 February 2002 (WA 166) about this matter. There is nothing further that can be usefully added.
House of Lords: Access
Lord Lamont of Lerwick asked the Chairman of Committees:
- Whether Members of the House of Commons who have offices there but have not taken the oath are allowed in any part of the House of Lords. [HL3283]
The Chairman of Committees (Lord Tordoff): On 18 December 2001 the House of Commons decided to grant Members who have chosen not to take their seats the right to use the facilities within the precincts of that House. As a result of this decision the Members in question have been issued with security passes by the House of Commons authorities and as pass-holders they enjoy rights of access to large parts of the parliamentary estate, including the public areas of the House of Lords. However, the present situation is without precedent and there is no rule specifically concerning any further rights of access that might be granted to Members of the House of Commons who have not taken their seats. It will be for the Offices Committee to make a recommendation on this matter.
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