HC Deb 22 January 1953 vol 510 c45W
38. Mr. Oldfield

asked the Minister of Education how many extra grammar school places will be needed in the years 1956, 1958 and 1960 if the present overall figure of 20 per cent. of the 13 year olds now in grammar schools is to be maintained; and what steps she is taking to ensure that local education authorities will provide the necessary places.

Miss Horsbrugh

If the present proportion of grammar school places in maintained and assisted secondary schools were to be kept constant, the cumulative additional number of such places needed in these schools would be 41,200 in 1956, 115,500 in 1958 and 155,700 in 1960. I cannot accept that a fixed percentage is applicable to all areas, since their circumstances vary widely; but if I find that the provision of grammar school places is, or is likely to become, insufficient in a particular area, I shall of course take the matter up with the authority.