§ 32 and 33. Sir Henry Morris-Jonesasked the Minister of Education (1) the numbers of petitions, protests and objections he has received from local authorities, school managers and other public bodies against the development plans published by the Denbighshire L.E.A. under the Education Act, 1944;
(2) whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt in many areas in the County of Denbigh about the new development scheme of the Denbighshire Local Education Authority under the Education Act of 1944; and whether, in view of present circumstances, he will authorise the L.E.A. to postpone these developments.
§ Mr. TomlinsonI have received 36 protests or objections against the Denbighshire local education authority's development plan, 14 of which relate to the secondary education proposals for one district. These objections will be carefully considered before the development plan is approved, with such modifications, if any, as after consultation with the local education authority, I consider necessary or expedient. The rate at which it will be possible to proceed with the individual projects in the approved plan will depend on the general building situation.
§ Sir H. Morris-JonesIn view of the very strong feeling that exists, as indicated by the right hon. Gentleman, is he prepared to set up a local in [...]iry in many of these areas before he comes to any decision?
§ Mr. TomlinsonIn every one of the development plans submitted by the education authorities in the country the same kind of pressure is being put forward and I would not propose to set up an additional inquiry.
§ Sir H. Morris-JonesIn view of the difficulty of elucidating this matter by question and answer, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.
§ 41. Mr. Peartasked the Minister of Education if he will give full details of the number of local education authorities which have, and have not, completed their development plans.
§ Mr. TomlinsonOne hundred and twenty-six local education authorities in England and Wales have now submitted 559 complete development plans, 11 authorities have submitted one or more instalments of these plans, and I understand that in the nine remaining areas the plans are in an advanced state of preparation.