Secondary Reorganisation (Manchester) (Hansard, 16 June 1981)

§ 8. Mr. Marks
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science from which organisations he has received deputations to discuss the current proposals for the reorganisation of secondary education in Manchester.

§ Mr. Mark Carlisle
My noble Friend the Minister of State and I have both received deputations from the Campaign for the Retention of Eleven to Eighteen Schools in Manchester. I have told right hon. and hon. Members representing Manchester constituencies that I will give the Campaign for a Unified System of Education a similar opportunity to tell me its views. My noble Friend has met a deputation in respect of the High School of Art.

§ Mr. Marks
I welcome the Secretary of State's decision to see the organisations supporting the education committee. I urge him to beware of solutions which would produce some schools catering for children between 11 and 18 and some for those aged between 11 and 16. The Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Brent, North (Dr. Boyson), once described the Spurley Hey High School in my constituency as a "sink" school. That was quite unjustified. However, if some schools have sixth forms while others do not have them, that situation could arise.

§ Mr. Carlisle
I am not prepared to comment on the Manchester proposals. In certain areas, there are schools for 11 to 16-year-olds and for 11 to 18-year-olds within the same local education authority.

§ Mr. Eastham
Will the Secretary of state acknowledge that a long debate dating back to 1979 has been taking place in the city of Manchester, where the problem of falling rolls is recognised? A decision by the Department of Education and Science is essential. Does he agree that there is a feeling among those concerned that the Secretary of State should take notice of democratic decisions reached by the city council?

§ Mr. Carlisle
I realise that this matter has been discussed for a long time. All sides to the dispute in Manchester accept that some changes have to be made. I shall make a decision as soon as I can. The proposals are extremely complicated. I have promised, in answer to the hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton (Mr. Marks), that I will see a deputation of those supporting the proposals of the city council before making my decision.