HC Deb 12 April 1972 vol 834 cc1245-6
14. Mr. MacArthur

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a further statement about the future of local authority selective schools.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

I assume my hon. Friend is referring to the proposals put to me by Glasgow Education Authority for the reorganisation of some of its selective schools. I have replied to the authority and it has asked for a meeting to discuss my letter. This meeting has been arranged for 14th April.

Mr. MacArthur

When that meeting takes place will my right hon. Friend reject any proposals which make educational nonsense? Will he defer the whole question of the schools until the structure of local government is reformed, and will he also make arrangements for the usual intake of pupils into these excellent schools for the coming academic year?

Mr. Campbell

On the first point, no amendments to the authority's schemes have yet been received so I do not have proposals which I can accept or reject. As regards intake schemes for the future I have told the corporation that I am assuming that it will be going ahead with its existing normal schemes till a decision has been made about future changes.

Mr. Hugh D. Brown

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the people of Glasgow—the electors of Glasgow—have already decided on this and that, whatever agreements he may be able to reach on Friday about improving organisational arrangements, the principle that there should be no further selective intake of pupils has been firmly established? Will the right hon. Gentleman at least accept that the electors of Glasgow have already come to a decision on that?

Mr. Campbell

No, I would not accept that the decision to stop intake has been taken. Secondly, I would not accept that the electors of Glasgow have decided on this question. I have received no fewer than 6,104 separate letters up to today containing approximately 48,000 signatures, and in petitions as well, and only 36 of the letters are in favour of the first proposals put forward by the corporation.

Mr. Buchan

The right hon. Gentleman cannot get away with that. Will he confirm that according to his own circular he must allow the local authorities to adopt the form of reorganisation which they desire? Secondly, will he withdraw his remark that the people of Glasgow have not decided this issue? They did, and they did so decisively at the last local elections.

Mr. Campbell

On the first point, a scheme must make sense and pass certain basic tests if the Secretary of State is to give his approval under the Acts. Secondly I will not withdraw that remark about the Glasgow electors. There were a number of matters before them at the time of the election, and I do not believe that this was one on which they took a decision at that time.