§ 34. Mr. Charles Morrisonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many local education authorities have notified him of their wish to adopt an age transfer, other than 11 years, from primary to secondary education.
§ Mr. CroslandA number of authorities have discussed possible schemes of this nature with my Department, but so far no proposals have been formally presented for my statutory approval.
§ Mr. MorrisonWould not the right hon. Gentleman agree that this points to the fact that there is a great deal of uncertainty as to the right age for transfer? Would he not further agree that this illustrates the absolute foolhardiness 1644 of issuing Circular 10/65, or any circular on secondary education, before the Plowden Committee has reported?
§ Mr. CroslandNo, Sir. On the contrary, I think, under present circumstances, that there is a very strong case for a temporary measure of local option over the age of transfer. Quite apart from comprehensive reorganisation, this will greatly facilitate the raising of the school-leaving age in many areas. What we have said clearly is that there will be no question of going over to any different national age of transfer until the Plowden Committee has reported.