§ 1. Mr. John Stradling Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has with regard to the provision of special assistance to local education authorities with 11 to 16 comprehensive schools in order to bring such schools up to the standards required by pupils, teachers and parents.
§ The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Peter Thomas)None. It is expected that any proposals by local education authorities to make up deficiencies at such schools or to convert them to other forms of secondary organisation, including 11–18 schools, should be carried out through the annual minor and major capital building programmes.
§ Mr. John Stradling ThomasI thank the Secretary of State for his reply. Is he fully aware of the acute anxiety felt by teachers, parents and some pupils about 3 the situation of these schools without sixth forms? Is he aware of the great difficulty which can arise in that if such a school gets a bad name, it could bring into disrepute the whole concept of comprehensive education in the area? May I urge my right hon. Friend to do all that he can to assist local authorities faced with this difficulty?
§ Mr. Peter ThomasIf my hon. Friend has any particular school in mind I should be grateful if he would let me know. Clearly, 11 to 16 comprehensive schools are established only in areas where the school population is not large enough to enable individual schools to support fully viable sixth form units.