§ 10. Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what immediate steps he is now prepared to take to provide more places for qualifying pupils in the grammar schools of Ballymena.
§ Mr. ChannonTwo new grammar schools are being provided in Ballymena—a boys' school to give 680 new places in 1974 and a replacement girls' school to give an additional 280 places in 1973.
§ Rev. Ian PaisleyI thank my hon. Friend the Minister of State for that reply. Is he aware that at present qualifying pupils have to travel to Ball money in order to get a place in the incoming session? Is he also aware that the Ballymena Academy is taking on qualifying pupils from Belfast and that they have been accepted in the school while people living in the Ballymena area cannot have their children accepted in the school? There is in Ballymena not only a Roman Catholic grammar school but a girls' grammar school and the mixed grammar school at Ballymena Academy. If the Ballymena Academy had been prepared to take more of the boys who qualified, this difficult position would not have arisen. Will the Minister of State say what arrangements he has made for transport for those pupils who have to travel to Ballymoney?
§ Mr. ChannonMy hon. Friend has raised this with me before, and I have naturally made inquiries. In view of his keen constituency interest I will look at the question of pupils from Belfast going to Ballymena. As for transport to Ballymoney, I understand that the County Antrim education committee intends to arrange a late-morning bus service from September which I hope will meet my hon. Friend's point.
§ Mr. KilfedderIs my hon. Friend satisfied that sufficient has been done to explain to parents of potential grammar school pupils what is gained by the comprehensive principle in education and how it will affect their children, particularly in areas such as North Down, where there are not enough grammar school places to satisfy expected demand?
§ Mr. ChannonThat is another question.