Inner London (Hansard, 8 July 1980)

§ 6. Mr. Peter Bottomley
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to publish the conclusions of the inquiry into the education service in inner London.

§ 14. Mr. Guy Barnett
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he intends to publish the report of the committee currently examining education in inner London under the chairmanship of Lady Young.

§ Dr. Boyson
As my right hon. and learned Friend explained in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Battersea, South (Mr. Dubs) on 11 June, when the Government have completed their examination, he will make a statement to the House.

§ Mr. Bottomley
Am I right in believing that any decision announced by the Government will be based on the interests of children's education rather than on political dogma? Even if it is decided that ILEA should remain unified for a time will we be able to continue the debate so that children who have passed the secret 11-plus will have a better opportunity of attending the secondary school of their choice? Is my hon. Friend aware that in my constituency that is not necessarily so at present?

§ Dr. Boyson
The interests of children's education will be paramount in any decision. I agree with my hon. Friend's second point. ILEA is one of the few authorities that handicaps children who prove themselves very bright at the age of 11.

§ Mr. Christopher Price
That is untrue.

§ Mr. Guy Barnett
Does the hon. Gentleman's original answer mean that the report will not be published? If so, what do the Government have to hide?

§ Dr. Boyson
The Government have nothing to hide. We are prepared to look at the question of ILEA, which was considered by the Herbert Commission in 1963, and in the Marshal and the Baker reports. It is important to get the matter settled this time. Perhaps I might clarify my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Woolwich, West (Mr. Bottomley) by saying that, within ILEA, if a child has a top grading, the parents often find that instead of going to a school of their choice the child is moved elsewhere to balance school intakes.

§ Mr. Kenneth Baker
Will my hon. Friend ensure that the committee examining the future of ILEA considers the option canvassed in one newspaper, namely, that those inner London boroughs that want to withdraw should be allowed to, provided that proper financial arrangements can be made? Does he accept that that would involve local communities more directly in their own educational services, which is what happens in the remainder of the country?

§ Dr. Boyson
I am sure that that is one matter that will be considered by the committee, together with the right of withdrawal of individual authorities, the break-up of the authority, grouping or even direct election to ILEA.

§ Mrs. Ann Taylor
Can the Minister confirm that the Greater London Conservative Advisory Committee has recently pronounced against the break-up of ILEA? How many submissions has the Minister's Department received on that matter, and what proportion has been against the break-up of ILEA? Why has his Department not undertaken to have direct consultations with parents in the authority's area, when it is clear from the 224 spontaneous reactions of parents in London that they are very much against the break-up of ILEA?

§ Dr. Boyson
Considerable numbers of individuals and groups have written to my Department. I have not seen the report that the hon. Lady mentioned. I shall look into the matter and make sure that she has a copy. If it comes from the Greater London Conservative Advisory Committee it will be of great benefit to the House. On the hon. Lady's second point, if a decision is made by the Secretary of State that there should be an alteration in the arrangements for inner London, further discussions and debate will take place.