HC Deb 31 March 1960 vol 620 cc1486-8
11. Dr. D. Johnson

asked the Minister of Education the total number of signatures on letters and petitions of protest that he has received against the proposal of the Carlisle Education Authority to cease to maintain the No. 468/4004 Creighton County Secondary School for Boys, and the No. 465/4005 Margaret Sewell County Secondary School for Girls; and whether he will make a statement in regard to such letters and petitions.

Sir D. Eccles

About 6,700. The matter is now formally before me for decision under Section 13 of the Education Act, 1944, and in reaching a conclusion I shall take very carefully into account all that has been said for and against the authority's proposal.

Dr. Johnson

I thank my right hon. Friend for his reply. Will he bear in mind that these two schools are extremely successful schools, which have built up a great tradition on a basis of being selected schools with a local loyalty evidenced by the number of signatures on the petition? Will he consider the matter very carefully before he changes those schools to an unselected basis according to these proposals?

Sir D. Eccles

Those matters have been forcefully put to me by the objectors.

Mrs. White

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is impossible in either of these two schools as at present constituted to provide the full range of opportunity which children should have in an up-to-date secondary school? Is he also aware that, while nearly 7,000 people have signed the petition objecting to the scheme, I have with me correspondence which clearly shows that there are many people who have not signed the petition because they do not object to the scheme?

Sir D. Eccles

As there are clearly two parties to this dispute, perhaps I may be allowed to consider it and reach a decision.

12. Dr. D. Johnson

asked the Minister of Education whether his attention has been called to the protest march of 300 school girls of the Margaret Sewell Secondary School for Girls through the City of Carlisle on Friday, 11th March, for the purpose of presenting to the Mayor of Carlisle a petition signed by them against the proposals of the Carlisle Education Authority relative to the said school; and if this petition has yet been received by him.

Sir D. Eccles

Yes, Sir, but I have not received the petition.

Dr. D. Johnson

is my right hon. Friend aware that this petition made much news in the local Press? Is he aware that the only objection which I have personally received to this Question is from the boys of the other school, the Creighton School, objecting that they would like to see themselves joined with the girls in this protest? Will he bear in mind that the boys have a petition signed by 373 boys of the school, or 95 per cent. of the total strength, and are very hurt that they were not included in this Question? Has he received this other correspondence to which the hon. Lady the Member for Flint, East (Mrs. White) referred?

Sir D. Eccles

Whether boys or girls protest to me, I will listen to what they have to say. I am afraid that I need notice to answer the last part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question.

Dr. King

Will the Minister assure these children, who are exercising for the first time one of their rights as British citizens, that their petition will be carefully considered?

Sir D. Eccles

Yes, Sir.