§ 24. Mr. Morleyasked the Minister of Education what steps she is taking to persuade local authorities in whose areas there is a very low percentage of grammar school places to provide more such places.
§ Miss HorsbrughI would refer the hon. Member to the last part of the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Gorton (Mr. Oldfield) on 22nd January.
§ Mr. MorleyIs the right hon. Lady aware that Section 1 of the Education Act, 1944, says that it is the duty of the Minister to
secure the effective execution by local authorities, under his control and direction, of the national policy for providing a varied and comprehensive educational service in every area"?Is it not a fact that in some areas the percentage of grammar school places is between 6 and 8 per cent. as compared with the national average of 21 per cent., so that it can hardly be called a "varied and comprehensive educational service"? Is it not the duty of the Minister to bring some diplomatic pressure to bear upon these authorities?
§ Miss HorsbrughI referred the hon. Member to the answer that I had given previously. I laid down no hard and fast rules as to the percentage of grammar school places, but I did say that if I should find that the provision of grammar school places is likely to become insufficient in any area I shall take the matter up with the authorities.