§ 19. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Education if he will invite representatives of the seventeen national bodies which have expressed opposition to the block grant system to discuss with him Her Majesty's Government's policy on this matter.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydNo, Sir. I have already received representative deputations.
§ Mr. SwinglerIs not it the situation that all the important bodies in the education world have expressed opposition to the block grant system but the Government have decided to disregard that advice completely and go ahead? Is not it the case, therefore, that the Minister is in duty bound to explain to the leaders of the education world, who are unanimously against the system, why the Government completely disregard their advice, and discuss with them the implications of future co-operation, if that is possible?
§ Mr. LloydI dealt with that precise point in my speech on the Second Reading of the Local Government Bill.
§ Mr. M. StewartIs not the right hon. Gentleman's chief difficulty in acceding to my hon. Friend's suggestion that if he got the seventeen bodies to talk to him on the subject he would be unable to conceal his own agreement with them on the matter?