HC Deb 01 July 1965 vol 715 cc800-1
14. Mr. Allason

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when a reply will be given to the deputation of Hertfordshire Members of Parliament which met the Minister of State for Education and Science on 22nd December, 1964, requesting earlier improvements to Hemel Hempstead and Watford Grammar Schools.

Mr. Crosland

My hon. Friend noted the views expressed by the deputation and told it that if it became possible to add to the Hertfordshire major building programme for 1966–67 the remodelling projects at the two schools would be considered. It has since been found possible to include in the programme an instalment of the Watford Grammar School project which is the more urgent of the two.

Mr. Allason

Is it not usual, when there is a delegation of Members of Parliament asking for these improvements, to inform them of the results, particularly when a decision is taken in favour of the approach? How was it that the hon. Member for Watford (Mr. Raphael Tuck) was informed of the result, whereas this delegation was not, though the hon. Member for Watford was not a member of the delegation?

Mr. Crosland

No, Sir; it is not normal, when a deputation of this kind goes to any Government Department and the Minister, whoever he may be, listens to its views, to send a long letter afterwards. It is normally assumed that the object is for the Minister to listen to the views of the delegation and to take them into account. There was no break with normal procedure here. The reason that my hon. Friend the Member for Watford received a reply and not the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mr. Allason) was simply that, in the case of Watford, there was a change in the situation, and in the case of the hon. Member's constituency there was not. I assure him on behalf of my hon. Friend the Minister of State, who has only just come out of hospital, that no sort of discourtesy was intended to the hon. Member. If he suggests that there was any discourtesy. I am sorry.

Mr. Longden

Could the right hon. Gentleman say when the needs of the Watford Grammar School were first brought to the notice of his Department?

Mr. Crosland

Not without notice.