HC Deb 21 January 1965 vol 705 c386
11. Mr. Charles Morrison

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to receive the report of the Central Advisory Council (England) on primary education.

Mr. M. Stewart

I expect to receive the Council's report in the summer of 1966.

Mr. Morrison

Whilst thanking the Minister for his reply, may I ask whether he would agree that, bearing in mind that the transition from primary to secondary education is to be considered, it would be folly to impose any end to the particular type of secondary education in the meanwhile and, in particular, on unwilling education authorities?

Mr. Stewart

No one suggests that one can carry through the kind of policy I previously outlined between now and the summer of 1966. As I explained to the House previously, this is a long process.

Mr. Chataway

In view of the reorganisation of secondary education which the Minister is encouraging, may I ask whether he will ask the Plowden Committee for an interim report on the question of age of transfer, as it would clearly be undesirable if a large number of education authorities were to reorganise their schools only to find subsequently that they had to reorganise them again because the age of transfer was changed?

Mr. Stewart

It has been suggested to me that I might ask for interim reports on that subject and on other subjects. I have considered it but in my opinion it would probably spoil the pattern of the Committee's work to do that.