To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what advice and guidance he issues to local education authorities for the use of teachers and school governors to counteract bullying; and if he will assist with the provision of educational materials to help children when confronted with the problem.

The report of the committee of inquiry into discipline in schools, chaired by Lord Elton and published in 1989, contained advice on bullying. Copies of the report were sent to all schools and local education authorities in England and Wales. The Department is funding a major research project on bullying which is aimed at making available guidance on good practice for all schools when the project is completed in August 1993.