§ 14. Mr. Palmerasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking in consultation with the Avon education committee to bring about the end of selective education in the Bristol north central area by the combination of Cotham grammar school and Fairfield grammar school as one comprehensive school on a split site basis.
§ Dr. BoysonNone, Sir. It is for the Avon local education authority to decide whether it wishes to retain or change the organisation of secondary education in the Bristol north central area and, if necessary, to make proposals under section 12 of the Education Act 1980.
§ Mr. PalmerIs the hon. Gentleman aware that Bristol was a pioneer in comprehensive education, that the anomaly has existed or a long time, that it is greatly disliked by many parents in the area and that the old Bristol education authority would have done away with it long ago? Should not Avon take action?
§ Dr. BoysonAnomalies are part of a free society. The democratically elected education authority in Bristol is Avon. If the authority wished to change the system it could bring forward proposals. It clearly does not wish to do so.
§ Mr. WaldegraveIs my hon. Friend aware that many people in Bristol are of the opinion that the only thing worse than the present situation would be a botched-up, split site, comprehensive school?
§ Dr. BoysonI agree entirely. When I was privileged to visit my hon. Friend's constituency I consulted people in Bristol. It is clear that my hon. Friend knows exactly what is happening there.