HC Deb 24 October 1968 vol 770 cc1569-71
21. Mr. Molloy

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has now received from the London Borough of Ealing regarding the future of secondary education in that borough; and if he will make a statement.

24. Mr. Bidwell

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what revised plans have been submitted to him from the London Borough of Ealing to promote comprehensive secondary education within the whole of that borough; and if he will make a statement.

Miss Bacon

I am awaiting revised proposals from the authority.

Mr. Molloy

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are now extant proposals to merge Walpole Grammar School and Southall Technical Grammar School in Ealing; and that this has caused immense disquiet to parents, pupils and staff—so much so that it was given prominence in the front page of The Times this morning? Would she agree to having an inquiry into the proposal, which is nothing but a compound of botchery and butchery?

Miss Bacon

There is a Question about these particular schools later in the Order Paper. As yet, I have had no proposals, and my hon. Friend can rest assured that if schools are to be closed they will be subject to public notice and submission under Section 13 of the 1944 Act.

Mr. Bidwell

Does not my right hon. Friend see that what is going on in the London Borough of Ealing in secondary education, and particularly in the stand-back of comprehensive school development in my part, in the Southall constituency, results from the quite wanton and callous Tory political jiggery-pokery in the area? Does not that reinforce the necessity for further legislation to deal with the problem?

Miss Bacon

I regret that the scheme which had been submitted was withdrawn but, as I say, I await the scheme which is to come from the London Borough of Ealing.

Mr. Kenneth Baker

As my constituency also falls within the London Borough of Ealing, may I ask whether the right hon. Lady would not agree that the previous Minister of Education was quite right to reject the proposal by the then council, which really was botched up comprehensive education, and does she not welcome the approach made by the new council, which is based on educational needs and not on political dogma?

Miss Bacon

At the time the council changed hands, my Department was in the process of discussing with the London borough of Ealing the reorganisation of secondary education. As the hon. Gentleman knows, these proposals were then withdrawn but I hope that we shall get a scheme from the London Borough of Ealing which is comprehensive, and which does not preserve the grammar schools as they are now.

36. Mr. Bidwell

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consideration he is giving to the proposal of the London Borough of Ealing to change the character of two secondary schools and to amalgamate two grammar schools.

Miss Bacon

I have received no proposal of this nature from the Authority, but such a proposal would need to be submitted under Section 13 of the 1944 Education Act, as amended. It would also need to be the subject of public notice.

Mr. Bidwell

When my right hon. Friend considers these proposals, will she bear in mind that they are directly related to the stand-back of comprehensive education previously referred to at the Southall end of the Borough? Will she also bear in mind that part of these proposals might mean racial, segregational policies? Will she, particularly, agree to undertake to look hard and long at these proposals?

Miss Bacon

We have not yet received any proposals but when we do I will certainly look into all aspects of them.