37. Mrs. Manningasked the Minister of Education whether she has information showing the progress of negotiations between the managers of voluntary schools and local education authorities under Part II of the Education Act; and whether it is yet known how many voluntary schools will become controlled, aided and special agreement schools, respectively.
§ Miss WilkinsonConsultations are proceeding between the managers of voluntary schools and the local education authorities as part of the preparation of the development plans, but the extent to which proposals affecting voluntary schools represent agreement with the managers will not be known until after the expiry in each case of the period allowed for the submission of objections under Section II of the Education Act, 1944. Under the proviso to Section 15 (2) of the Act the managers of voluntary schools are not called upon to exercise their option as to the future status of the school until after the development plan has been approved by the Minister.
Mrs. ManningIn view of the fact that education in rural areas is entirely dependent upon the implementation of this most important Section of the Act, is the right hon. Lady taking care, with her advisers in the area, to see that these conferences and negotiations are going on all the time? Or is she just waiting for development plans?
§ Miss WilkinsonThat is part of the work of His Majesty's inspectors, and it is going on all the time.