§ 72. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Education whether he is aware of the continuing anxiety in Lyme Regis and the surrounding district about the proposal to convert Lyme Regis Grammar School into a bi-lateral school; whether he will give his reasons for approving the decision; and whether a public inquiry may be held, in view of the large number of objectors to the proposal.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydI approved this proposal because I agreed with the local education authority that, since only 45W about 90 pupils in the Lyme Regis area reach secondary school age each year, it was much better to have one school offering a reasonable choice of courses than two schools both of which would be too small. I received very full statements of the views of numerous objectors and I saw no need for a public inquiry. I sympathise with their anxiety, but I feel sure that it will be allayed when they see what the enlarged school can offer.