§ 17. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Education what consultations he has had with representatives of local education authorities in respect of projected economies or suspension of plans.
§ Sir D. EcclesThere have been no such consultations recently.
§ Mr. SorensenDo I understand from that reply that the education authority of the Essex County Council has not, in fact, approached the Minister? Can the Minister give an assurance that there will be consultations with the education authorities, in view of the possible economies that have been mentioned?
§ Sir D. EcclesThese were decisions of policy which, I thought, should be taken as soon as possible; but having taken them, I am, of course, always willing to listen to authorities who wish to put their special problems. Indeed, I saw all the authorities together last week at their conference.