HC Deb 23 October 1952 vol 505 cc1256-7
35. Mr. Morley

asked the Minister of Education what steps she is taking to provide secondary education for the 354,000 children of 11 and upwards now being taught in all-age schools.

Miss Horsbrugh

The proportion of senior pupils in all-age schools continues to show a marked decrease. Much can be and is being done by local education authorities and teachers to meet the special needs of those who remain in all-age schools.

Mr. Morley

Does not this large number of children of 11 and upwards who are still in primary schools make rather derisory the promise of the Education Act of 1944 to provide secondary education for all? Will the Minister encourage the local authorities concerned to get on quickly with their re-organisation schemes?

Miss Horsbrugh

Yes, but I am carrying on a policy decided some years ago that at present building should concentrate on new schools. I would inform the hon. Gentleman that in 1952 the percentage had fallen to 15.8 as compared with 16.9 in January, 1951, and with 18 per cent. in January, 1950. We are improving the position.

Mr. G. Thomas

Is the Minister aware that re-organisation can very often take place within the existing accommodation, that this has been done in Cardiff, but that there is only one opportunity and one school life available for these children and that they are not having a square deal in present circumstances?

Miss Horsbrugh

I quite agree with the hon. Gentleman that re-organisation can take place, and that is the reason why there has been a decrease in the figures. We are going on with those schemes which have shown good results.

Dr. King

Is the Minister aware that she has cut out of the Hampshire school building programme two modern secondary schools at Petersfield and Fordingbridge which would have enabled the children in that part of the county to get real secondary education? Is she aware that she has cut it out this year and next year, too?

Miss Horsbrugh

Yes, but I would remind the hon. Gentleman that it is still my policy to have fewer schools started and to complete them more quickly. I can assure him that at present, at any rate, the policy is succeeding. As I informed the House last week, more school building has been done in the first half of this year than in the first half of last year.

41. Mr. J. Johnson

asked the Minister of Education the number of all-age schools in Warwickshire; and when it is her intention to provide modern facilities for secondary education for the children of those schools.

Miss Horsbrugh

About 80. I regret that the building of new schools solely to secure reorganisation cannot at present be justified, but every opportunity will be taken of securing the benefits of reorganisation when new school places can be justified on other grounds.

Mr. Johnson

Is the Minister aware of the keen anxiety of all parents and teachers about this deplorable position? Is she further aware that even the Tory County Council who are usually her most docile supporters and followers in Warwickshire—are mortified about this position?

Miss Horsbrugh

Yes, but I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will be only too glad to inform the county council that I am continuing the policy found necessary by my predecessor. I am continuing the policy of building new schools for children wanting to go to school, rather than build at present for the sake of reorganisation.