§ 27. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action he intends to take to prevent local education authorities from breaking up established neighbourhood comprehensive schools by allowing parents a choice of grammar school education in other areas.
§ Mr. Gordon WalkerI much regret the recent decisions of the Wolverhampton and Walsall local education authorities. The comprehensive schools concerned are doing an excellent job and I would expect few parents to take advantage of new opportunities for sending their children to other schools. I do not consider that this is a situation in which I can properly intervene.
§ Mrs. ShortBut is my right hon. Friend aware that this decision was taken without consultation with the parents or the teachers for the whole Wolverhampton area, that the teaching profession is absolutely united in opposing this proposal, and that his reply is extremely unsatisfactory? We expect him to defend the established comprehensive schools.
§ Mr. Gordon WalkerI have, of course, as my hon. Friend knows, to work within the law. I regard this as a very retrograde step, but it is not so unreasonable that I would be justified in intervening under the appropriate Section of the Act.
§ Mr. MontgomeryBut would the right hon. Gentleman admit that this is really the responsibility of the local education authority? Would it not be better if consultations took place among the parents, the teachers and the education authority? Would not that be more beneficial than that sort of mischievous question?
§ Mr. Gordon WalkerI think that it would be much better in this case if proper consultations had taken place, but, in the last resort, this is, of course, a matter for the local electors.