§ Mr. David Heath (Somerton and Frome)I should like to present, and offer my support for, a petition that I was given earlier this week at Evercreech primary school. I am grateful to the school's staff, children and governors for the welcome that they gave me. The petition has been signed by 250 people resident in Evercreech and in the surrounding district of Somerset, including the area's county councillor, Mrs. Gloria Cawood.
The petition states:
The number of pupils attending Evercreech Primary School, and the continuing popularity of the school, is such that class sizes are unacceptably large, and that one class now has 38 children, to the detriment of the educational opportunities offered to local children.Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House will take such matters as lie within their powers to urge that the Secretary of State for Education and Employment ensures that such resources are available to Somerset County Council as may be required to provide an extra permanent classroom and one extra teacher for Evercreech Primary School.And your Petitioners, as in duty bound will ever pray etc.
§ To lie upon the Table