§ 30. Mr. Morleyasked the Minister of Education what plans he has for the reorganisation of all-age schools into primary and secondary schools in the near future.
§ Sir D. EcclesMy plans are set out in paragraph 5 of Circular 283, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.
§ Mr. MorleyIs the Minister aware that my Question was tabled before this Circular was issued? Is he further aware that educationists are very glad that, owing to constant pressure from hon. Members on this side of the House for the last three years, the hated Circular 245 has now been dropped? May I further ask him what action he proposes to take against reactionary county councils who do not take full advantage of the freedom which he has now offered them?
§ Sir D. EcclesI shall wait to see how they react before I call them reactionary.
§ 37. Dr. Kingasked the Minister of Education to what extent local educational authorities will be permitted to include in the current year's building programme additional new schools whose main purpose is to make reorganisation of all-age schools possible.
§ Sir D. EcclesI am sending the hon. Member a copy of my recent Circular to 1104 local education authorities. I am prepared at once to add to the 1954–55 programme any projects which fall within the terms of paragraph 5 of that Circular, and which authorities can start before the end of March, 1955.
§ Dr. KingIs the Minister aware that those of us who are delighted at the change of policy on the part of the Government, so far as the reorganisation scheme is concerned, are equally delighted at the fact that he will allow those authorities which have plans for schools waiting for permits to include those plans in this year's programme?