§ 18. Mr. van Straubenzeeasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions officials of his Department have had with representatives of Reading County Borough Council on that council's plans for secondary reorganisation in the borough.
§ Mr. Edward ShortDiscussions are to take place next week.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeIs it true that those discussions will take place not in London but in Reading, and does that appropriate approach by the Secretary of State indicate that he appreciates that he has no power to force upon a local authority a reorganisation scheme of which it disapproves?
§ Mr. ShortIt does not imply any such thing. It is simply a courtesy to the local authority members. It was a matter of convenience to them that we should meet in Reading; they asked us to meet there, and we are meeting there.