HC Deb 28 October 1965 vol 718 cc327-9
9. Dame Irene Ward

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give an assurance that, on receipt of local education committees' plans on their future educational structure, no attempt will be made by his Department to make those committees reconsider their plans.

Mr. Crosland

No, Sir. There would be no point in the submission of plans to my Department if my views were not to be made known to the authority and this may involve reconsideration of the plans.

Dame Irene Ward

Could I have an assurance from the right hon. Gentleman that if a local authority, after consideration, decides to put forward its educational development against the comprehensive system, his Department or he himself will exercise no pressure on the free decision of that or other local education authorities? Would the right hon. Gentleman also express a view—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I will allow this one, but there should be only one question in a supplementary.

Dame Irene Ward

Would the Minister please say whether he believes in the freedom of local education authorities or whether he seeks to dictate to them?

Mr. Crosland

I have no desire to dictate and I believe in the freedom of local authorities. The fact is—and there are many precedents for this under all Administrations—that the Government have now said that it is their national policy to move towards comprehensive reorganisation. I do not propose to dictate this policy to local authorities, mainly because I am certain, from the response we have had so far, that we shall move in this direction by co-operation and agreement.

Mr. Rhodes

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that were he to accept the request of the hon. Lady the Member for Tynemouth (Dame Irene Ward) he would be acting in a very irresponsible manner? Does he appreciate that if a local authority submits plans which are inefficient, cumbersome or inequitable as between people or districts he would have a public duty to make recommendations for their alteration?

Mr. Crosland

That is absolutely true. And since almost all plans involve powers which the Secretary of State has under Section 13 of the 1944 Act, he is not in any position to divest himself of this responsibility.