§ 7. Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has had concerning education provision in the Bradford education authority area.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Education and Science (Mrs. Angela Rumbold)My right hon. Friend frequently receives such representations, on a variety of issues.
§ Mr. MaddenDoes the Minister accept that one of the main reasons for the sinking of the Tory flagship in Bradford last week was the crisis in the city's education service, which arises directly from the £276 poll tax set by the Conservative party? Does she understand that more than 100 teachers are facing redundancy as a result of underfunding of the school budgets, that schools are crumbling in Bradford because we have received only a fraction of the £100 million needed to repair and renovate them, and that 50 lecturers are facing redundancy at Bradford and Ilkley college because of deep cuts in their funding? In view of all that, will the Minister arrange for an urgent early meeting with the new Bradford education authority so that the crisis in the city's education service can be resolved?
§ Mrs. RumboldYes. Ministers are always happy to meet hon. Members with deputations to discuss education matters. But the hon. Gentleman must hurry before the normal practice in Bradford occurs—the Conservatives retaking control.