HC Deb 03 March 1970 vol 797 cc255-7
25. Mr. Brooks

asked the Secretary of State for Local Government and Regional Planning whether he will publish the evidence which has led him to allocate responsibility for primary and secondary education to the upper-tier metropolitan authorities.

Mr. Crosland

The Government took this decision on their own judgment of the merits, after weighing all the relevant arguments. The decision has been widely welcomed in the education world.

Mr. Brooks

I am sure that my right hon. Friend will agree that it has not been universally welcomed and that the metropolitan districts which are now to lose this all-important function, contrary to the intentions of Seebohm and Maud, in many cases are larger than some States represented at the United Nations. If he presses ahead with his proposal, may I inform him that many of us in Wirral may be tempted to declare U.D.I.?

Mr. Crosland

That is a declaration which will gravely alarm both sides of the House. But, as to the substance as opposed to the sinister threats in my hon. Friend's question, I agree that it has not been universally welcomed. I chose my words carefully in saying that it had been widely welcomed in the education world—by the N.U.T., for instance. I think it is fair to say that it has been welcomed by most hon. Members in this House who have an interest in education matters. As for my hon. Friend's point about the implications for the size of the metropolitan districts, his next Question has a bearing on that.

26. Mr. Brooks

asked the Secretary of State for Local Government and Regional Planning whether, in the light of his decision to make education the responsibility of metropolitan regional authorities, he will agree to divide the proposed South Merseyside Metropolitan District into two separate units.

Mr. Crosland

I can assure my hon. Friend that, unless U.D.I. is declared by this time, our consultations with local authorities on metropolitan districts will cover the pattern as well as detailed boundaries. I shall not reach a final conclusion on South Merseyside until these consultations are complete.

Mr. Brooks

While thanking my right hon. Friend for the flexibility which he clearly envisages, will he recall that Mr. Senior has referred specifically to this area as one now meriting division? This is an urgent matter, in view of the need to know the future structure in the light of the implementation of the Seebohm Report.

Mr. Crosland

Yes, Sir. But when we discuss metropolitan districts we have to remember that, even though they will not now be education authorities, they will remain housing authorities and social services authorities. They must be of a size to carry out those functions effectively. Nevertheless, I do not rule out what my hon. Friend suggests in advance of the consultations.