§ 12.13 a.m.
§ Mr. Evelyn King (Dorset, South)With your permission Mr. Deputy Speaker, I present a humble petition from the residents in Upton, Dorset, and others who live in that area. It is supported by 1,290 persons. Many of them are parents who are anxious about the educational future of that area.
397 The petition sheweth:
That a request by the Dorset county council in its capacity as a local education authority to the Secretary of State for Education and Science to form the provision of an age range of 1 I to 18 years in Lytchett Minster upper comprehensive school has been refused by the said Minister. That the Minister of Education seeks to remove the sixth form from Lytchett Minster upper comprehensive school. That if the said sixth form were maintained it would be no smaller than the average size of sixth forms in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, nor would it be more costly. That the school is in the centre of a strong rural community and the Minister has failed to take into account relevant factors social as well as educational. That the Minister's proposals if carried out would not ensure parity—equal status—with other local rural comprehensive schools. Wherefore your petitioners pray that your Honourable House will support your petitioners in their desire that the Secretary of State for Education and Science review her decision that Lytchett Minster upper comprehensive school have no sixth form. And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, etc.The petitioners, who include Mr. Charles Hanex, the chairman of the governors, and Councillor Perkins, feel strongly about this issue and look to Parliament to redress this anomaly.
§ I beg leave to present the petition.
§ To lie upon the Table