HC Deb 16 June 1966 vol 729 cc1635-6
20. Sir C. Osborne

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will issue instructions to his department that, when protests similar to those made in the case of the siting of the County Junior School, Humberston, near Grimsby, are made, they are dealt with immediately.

Mr. Crosland

I have written again to the hon. Member about this.

Sir C. Osborne

This school is being built within a yard or two of the houses of my constituents, who protested first to the parish council, the R.D.C. and the county council, and then, through me, to the right hon. Gentleman. There are two fields beyond which they ask for the school to be moved away from their houses. Will not the right hon. Gentleman have a heart and look at this matter again?

Mr. Crosland

As for the protest, the hon. Gentleman wrote to me on 17th May and I wrote back two days later, which shows that I took up the matter as rapidly as I could. The fact is that we have local democracy in this country—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—and as soon as one begins to interfere with the siting of a particular building one is taking crucial powers from local authorities, and that I am not prepared to do.