HC Deb 23 July 1970 vol 804 cc739-40
28. Mr. Harper

asked the Secetary of State for Education and Science what proposals she has received from the West Riding County Council for the reorganisation of secondary education on comprehensive lines in the Pontefract and Featherstone area.

Mrs. Thatcher

Last February, the authority withdrew its proposals for reconsideration.

Mr. Harper

I am not surprised at that. But is the right hon. Lady aware that most of the surrounding area has already gone comprehensive, that Pontefract and Featherstone are desperately wanting the reorganisation of secondary education on comprehensive lines, and that the only thing stopping this is the further school accommodation which is desperately needed, especially in the Featherstone area? Will she, therefore, given an instruction and some extra resources to the West Riding County Council so that it can get on with the school building so necessary in this area in order to let us have comprehensive education?

Mrs. Thatcher

School building is the limiting factor in these proposals. It was the limiting factor also under Circular 10/65.