HC Deb 18 July 1957 vol 573 cc1323-5
21. Mr. Hurd

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education the percentage of children over eleven years old who attend all-age schools in Berkshire, compared with the national average; and what further progress is being made in providing secondary modern school places in the county.

Sir E. Boyle

In January, 1957, the proportion in Berkshire was 15.3 per cent.: the figure for England and Wales is not yet available, but in January, 1956, it was 8.2 per cent. Over 2,000 more secondary modern school places in Berkshire are likely to be taken into use by the end of next year, and work on schools providing a further 4,500 will start between now and March, 1959.

Mr. Hurd

Can my hon. Friend tell us when all the children in Berkshire will have the opportunity of going to either a secondary modern school or a grammar school?

Sir E. Boyle

I think the figures that I have given are encouraging. The programme of building for rural re-organisation will greatly reduce the proportion of Berkshire children in all-age schools during the next few years. All but two of the new schools needed to complete rural re-organisation in Berkshire have been approved by my noble Friend for starting between now and March, 1959.

Mr. Remnant

How many of the additional places come from new towns, where there is increased population?

Sir E. Boyle

I cannot answer that without notice, but I would ask my hon. Friends to study the figures which I have given, for I think they are encouraging.

22. Mr. Hurd

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education the percentage of children attending primary schools in the rural areas of Berkshire who now qualify for and receive grammar school education compared with children attending primary schools in Reading, Newbury and other towns in the county.

Sir E. Boyle

I regret that this information is not available.

Mr. Hurd

Would it not be well to take a sample as between village areas and town areas, because there are many parents who feel that their children do not have the advantages of those who happen to be brought up in towns?

Sir E. Boyle

I know the feeling on this matter—we had it expressed on an earlier Question—but I rather doubt whether a sample would be helpful and of real value.

Mr. M. Stewart

Will the hon. Gentleman reconsider getting information about rural areas? Obviously, a number of hon. Members are interested in the matter, which is one of concern throughout the country. I think that the hon. Gentleman, if he tries, could make a general survey of the opportunities for grammar school education in rural areas compared with those in urban areas.

Sir E. Boyle

It would be a much more lengthy and arduous task than the hon. Gentleman imagines, and I do not think my noble Friend would feel justified in asking authorities to make the detailed returns which would be required. I can tell the House that in January, 1956, the proportion of thirteen-year-old pupils in Berkshire as a whole attending grammar schools maintained by local education authorities or direct grant grammar schools was 24.4 per cent., and the corresponding figure for Reading County Borough was 15.9 per cent.