§ 4. Mr. Ellisasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied with the development of all the Welsh-speaking secondary schools which have been instituted since 1945; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasSince 1945 six bilingual secondary schools have been established by four local education authorities in Wales. Their development has been a most encouraging feature of Welsh secondary education. Some of these schools are experiencing the curriculum and organisational problems associated with small comprehensive schools. In these instances the local education authorities concerned are considering how these problems may be overcome.
§ Mr. EllisWould the Secretary of State not agree that the development of the schools is to a great extent dependent on the enthusiastic support that they get from the local education authorities concerned? Would he not further agree that this support has sometimes not been as forthcoming in some areas as it might have been to bring about the liberal and enlightened policy we would expect?
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI agree that enthusiasm both by the local education authority and by the parents augurs well 922 for the further development of these schools.