HC Deb 02 May 1963 vol 676 cc1285-6
9. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Education how many schools, school places, school children and teachers will be transferred from the present Essex Education Authority to prospective new Greater London Essex boroughs; what will be the financial effect of this on the future Essex County Council; and if provisional arrangements are being made in respect of school children living near the boundaries of the prospective new boroughs for whom it is more convenient to attend schools beyond those boundaries.

Sir E. Boyle

The local education authority's provisional estimate is 385 schools, 132,364 pupils, and 5,413 teachers, and their transfer is likely to reduce the county estimates by £9.8 million. The change in boundaries need not cause any change in school catchment areas.

Mr. Sorensen

May I ask the Minister whether he is satisfied that children under the responsibility of the Essex Education Authority in future will not suffer in any way because of this new local government rearrangement? Will not the right hon. Gentleman also agree, in connection with the latter part of the Question, that it is very desirable to make arrangements now to avoid confusion in future?

Sir E. Boyle

I entirely agree with the latter part of the hon. Member's remarks. There cannot be any question of excluding children attending schools over the border at the time of the change. That is important. Arrangements for admission will continue to be the responsibility of the Essex County Council until 1st April, 1965, but if the hon. Member has any representations to make to me I am perfectly ready to play any part I properly can to make sure that the change-over takes place as smoothly as possible.

Mr. Sorensen

Will the right hon. Gentleman reply to the first part of the Question? Is he satisfied that there will be no detrimental effects on these children?

Sir E. Boyle

If the hon. Member looks at the first part of the supplementary answer I gave, he will find that I said that children will not be excluded who are attending schools over the border when the transfer comes along. I believe it will be quite possible to make arrangements which will prevent damage to the interests of the children.