HC Deb 18 July 1957 vol 573 c1313
6. Mr. Brockway

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education the percentage of successes in grammar school selection tests in the rural areas of Buckinghamshire; and how this percentage compares with the average for the whole county.

Sir E. Boyle

I regret that this information is not available.

Mr. Brockway

Would the hon. Gentleman obtain it? It is stated locally that the opportunities for children in the rural areas are less than 10 per cent. and in the urban areas 20 per cent., which means that the child in the town has twice the opportunity of getting into a grammar school that the child in the rural area has. Cannot the hon. Gentleman do something? Is he aware of the appalling conditions in schools in country areas, the insanitary buildings and the difficulties of getting teachers? Will not he look at the whole of this subject?

Sir E. Boyle

We have got on very well in recent years with the problem of re-organisation in getting rid of all-age schools in rural areas. I agree with the hon. Member that this is important, but he will recognise that the Buckinghamshire education authority could not provide this information without making a very lengthy analysis of individual classes. My noble Friend would not feel justified in asking the local authority to make the very detailed returns required.