HC Deb 17 July 1969 vol 787 c858
6. Mr. van Straubenzee

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what administrative action he now proposes that local education authorities should take to eliminate class sizes of over 40.

Mr. Edward Short

Any action open to them within the resources available.

Mr. van Straubenzee

When the right hon. Gentleman used the phrase quoted in the question in his speech to the A.E.C., which was widely commented on, he must presumably have had administrative action on their part in mind. Could he not assist the House by at least listing, say, two of the actions?

Mr. Short

If the hon. Member will do me the honour of reading the speech that I made at Cardiff, he will see that I listed more than two ways open to local authorities. One obvious way is to create wider catchment areas in towns. Another obvious way is to alter the organisation in the schools. Another obvious way is to redeploy the use of teachers. If the hon. Gentleman has not read the speech, I will be very happy to send him a copy.