HC Deb 30 October 1952 vol 505 c2084
45. Miss Bacon

asked the Prime Minister if the speech of the Minister of Education about the comprehensive school, made to the Conservative Party Conference at Scarborough, represents the policy of the Government.

The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Harry Crookshank)

I have been asked to reply The answer is, "Yes, Sir."

Miss Bacon

Would not the right hon. Gentleman consider that if the Minister of Education had a statement to make affecting the plans of local authorities it would have been much better to send a circular to that effect to them, instead of making a threat at a Conservative Party conference?

Mr. Crookshank

That is quite another question. All the hon. Lady asked was whether that represented Government policy. The answer is, yes.

Mr. J. Johnson

Is the Minister aware that the right hon. Lady's statement definitely makes the comprehensive school a party politicial issue on that side of the House, and that teachers everywhere deplore the fact that the Minister should dictate in this fashion what the future plans of local education authorities should be?