HC Deb 30 July 1953 vol 518 cc1518-9
16 and 17. Mr. H. Wilson

asked the Minister of Education (1) if, in view of the health and other questions involved, she will now reconsider her decision not to allow the child of Mrs. Morshead, Ivybank, Doubletrees, St. Blazey Gate, Cornwall, to attend the school of her parents' choice;

(2) if, in view of the numbers likely to apply for admission to St. Blazey Infants' School, Cornwall, in September, 1953, she will reconsider her previous decision in respect of the four children she refused admission, and allow them to attend the school of their parents' choice from the beginning of the new school year.

Miss Horsbrugh

As I have already explained to the right hon. Member, the control of admissions to county schools rests, not with me, but with the authority, subject to the right of appeal by the parent against unreasonable exclusion. If it is considered that there are any new relevant circumstances, the proper course would be for these to be brought to the notice of the local education authority in the first instance.

Mr. Wilson

Since, in this case, after the Minister's first ruling, 20 children were admitted to the school that was supposed to be overcrowded, will she now press the local authorities, in view of the considerations mentioned in my second Question, to reconsider this matter before the September term and bring an end to this very long standing unsatisfactory state of affairs?

Miss Horsbrugh

I think that when the hon. Member used the word "ruling" he did not quite understand what I said. It was that I would not overrule the local authority in coming to their decision. I have not interfered with the local authority in coming to their decision and, as I have explained, the local authority have the right to make these arrangements; but the parents have the right to appeal to me against unreasonable exclusion.

Mr. G. Wilson

Does my right hon. Friend agree that this matter was gone into fully with three or four Members of Parliament, including myself, some months ago? Have any new features arisen since then to alter her decision?

Miss Horsbrugh

I think my hon. Friend will agree that at the time I discussed it I said that my decision was, on the information I then had, not to overrule the decision of the local authority. If any new circumstances have arisen, they ought to be brought to the notice of the local authority.

Mr. H. Wilson

Is it not extraordinary that the Minister, who is given a definite responsibility under the 1944 Act, is unwilling to overrule the activities of a local authority which has behaved in this manner against the interests of the parents and children concerned? Is the right hon. Lady aware that the prospective admissions to this school for September suggest that there is a totally new set of circumstances which would justify her in reversing her previous decision?

Miss Horsbrugh

I do not know how to make it clear to the right hon. Member, but I have tried to do so. The decision is the decision of the local authority and any parent has the right to appeal to me against unreasonable exclusion. At present, no parent has appealed to me against unreasonable exclusion. If there are new facts which the right hon. Member thinks should be brought to the notice of the local authority, I hope that they will be brought to their notice.