§ 10. Mr. Laneasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, before drafting his intended legislation on educational reform, he will publish a Green Paper outlining the Government's proposals, in order to give an opportunity for the views of Members of the House and the public to be made known.
§ Mr. Edward ShortI intend to include in the current preparation of a new Education Bill suitable arrangements for allowing the widest possible expression of views on proposed changes in the law, and I shall bear in mind the hon. Member's suggestion.
§ Mr. LaneI am grateful for that Answer, but will the right hon. Gentleman 560 man bear in mind the great public interest in and ignorance of the Government's intentions? Will he remember particularly that, if the legislation is to include further steps to force the pace towards comprehensivisation, there will be strong opposition from a large section of the public?
§ Mr. ShortI have written to 38 bodies—teachers, local authorities, and so on—concerned with education asking for preliminary views. This is pre-consultation. When it comes to putting down our views after considering theirs, I will consult them again and make it possible for the House and everyone else interested to consider our views very carefully.