HC Deb 22 November 1983 vol 49 c149
1. Mr. Straw

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he now expects to announce his decisions in respect of sixth form reorganisation in Lancashire.

The Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Mr. Bob Dunn)

My right hon. Friend hopes to announce his decision in the near future.

Mr. Straw

Will the Minister and the Secretary of State take into account when they make their decision the fact that while, understandably, some parents have anxieties about any changes, this reorganisation proposal, as it affects sixth forms in Blackburn, enjoys wide support? Will they bear in mind that it was moved in the county council by the leader of the Conservative group, Mrs. Pat Case and given support by the majority Labour group?

Mr. Dunn

I am aware that there is bi-partisan support for the proposals for Blackburn in the Lancashire county council. I know, too, that the Lancashire county council is keen for an early decision and that it is incumbent upon us to ensure that the proposals are examined as fully as they can be.

Mrs. Kellett-Bowman

When making any proposals, will the Secretary of State be mindful of the fact that in Lancaster there is tremendous support for all our secondary schools — our boys' grammar schools, our girls' grammar schools, our Church schools and our ordinary secondary schools — and that the people of Lancaster would rather leave things as they are?

Mr. Dunn

We have no proposals before us for Lancaster, but I am sure that my hon. Friend will make her views known to us at the right time.

Mr. Robert Atkins

When my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State considers this reorganisation, will he also include consideration of the curricula of sixth form colleges, particularly with reference to the so-called peace studies being introduced in Labour-controlled Lancashire, as such a subject appears to be unnecessary in already overcrowded curricula?

Mr. Dunn

We are concerned about peace studies everywhere where they are abused. All proposals for sixth form colleges are given deep consideration by the Secretary of State.