§ 12. Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many proposals for major reorganisation of secondary education he has received from local authorities since 1979; and how many he has approved.
§ Mr. DunnDetailed records of proposals for major reorganisation of secondary education are available only in respect of those published since August 1980, when sections 12 to 15 of the Education Act 1980 came into force. Of the 73 such proposals received since that date, 45 have been approved, nine are undecided, and 19 were rejected.
§ Mr. TaylorIs my hon. Friend aware from his highly successful visit to Southend last week of the damaging 162 educational uncertainty created by county councils which put forward major reorganisation plans, in this case twice within a period of three years, to take away the sixth forms from comprehensives and to abolish two excellent grammar schools? Will he urge local councils not to produce a large number of secondary school reorganisations within a short time, thereby creating massive uncertainty for teachers, parents and pupils?
§ Mr. DunnWe are fully aware of the reputation at present enjoyed by Southend's grammar schools and the other schools which my hon. Friend mentioned. His comments will be fully taken into account if and when proposals come before us.