§ 22. Mr. Liptonasked the Minister of Education how many associations representing educational interests have written to him commending the Government's block-grant proposals.
§ Sir E. BoyleNone, Sir.
§ Mr. LiptonIs it not therefore absolutely clear that never before have all the people connected with our educational service been so unanimous and inflexibly opposed to the menace of the proposals of the present Government? Does the hon. Gentleman want his right hon. Friend to be the first Minister of Education who has not a single supporter for his policy in the educational service of this country?
§ Sir E. BoyleI am not sure that an austere logician would think the hon. Member's supplementary quite followed from my original Answer, but I think we had better await the debate on this subject next week.
§ Mr. M. StewartCould not the hon. Gentleman arrange for the Association of Conservative Teachers to send him just a word of comfort?
§ Sir E. BoyleWe have had some very happy discussions on this topic—I certainly have—with the Association of Conservative Teachers and many other bodies, but I do not want to anticipate next week's debate.
§ Mr. RipponIs my hon. Friend aware that many people welcome the proposals of the Government to give greater freedom to democratic local authorities by giving them the opportunity, if they are so minded, to devote more of their resources to education than is at present permitted?
§ Sir E. BoyleI am grateful to my hon. Friend. There have been some excellent salvoes fired on each side in the Press and there has been a thoroughly healthy debate so far.