§ 20. Dr. David Kerrasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has examined the proposals for the future of education organisation in the present area of the London County Council; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CroslandThe new arrangements under the London Government Act for the administration of education in the Inner London area will come into effect on 1st April. As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government said in his statement of 2nd February the Government will consider the requirement which is imposed by the Act to review these educational arrangements before 1970.
§ Dr. KerrI thank my right hon. Friend for his reply. Will he bear in mind that insecurity in the education service, which is a legacy of the last Government, is militating against continuing the high standards, especially of the London County Council? Would he consider making an interim statement of the Government's intentions on the matter in order to restore some hope to the teaching staffs and the parents of children in the Inner London area?
§ Mr. CroslandI take the point which my hon. Friend has made. He will know the attitude which we took over the Act when we were in Opposition. I should not like, this afternoon, to go beyond what I have already said.