HC Deb 15 July 1975 vol 895 c1257
16. Mr. Hal Miller

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, in the light of the decision of the Hereford and Worcester County Council he will now make a statement on the, future of Shenstone College and the previously approved merger with the Bromsgrove College of Education.

Miss Joan Lestor

My right hon. Friend has yet to be notified of the county council's decision.

Mr. Miller

Because the county council's decision, taken last week, offered no recommendation to the Secretary of State, will the hon. Lady now accept that the Government's previous decision should be allowed to stand so that there will be some continuity in Government policies? Will the Government accept responsibility for that decision rather than put the matter on the shoulders of the county council?

Miss Lestor

We have not yet been notified about what the hon. Gentleman says will be the county council's decision. We must take that matter into account when we are officially informed of these matters. However, I cannot possibly take account of a decision which may or may not exist until we have had an official communication from the county council in question.

Mr. Freud

Since the hon. Lady appears to be saying that there are no statistics available, even though they appeared the other evening, and since the Government now seem to be shooting the pigeons that deliver the mail from the county councils, is it not time that the Department spent a little more money on gearing up the statistical services so that we may have up-to-date information?

Miss Lestor

I have no evidence at all that the letter was posted or which stamp it had on it.