§ Mr. McLarenasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many objections he has received to the proposed merger of Portway Girls' Secondary Modern School and Portway Boys' Secondary Modern School, Bristol; and if he will order a public inquiry.
§ Mr. M. StewartI have received objections to the merger of Portway Girls' and Portway Boys' Secondary Schools signed by 270 local government electors from the catchment area for these schools. The objectors have not stated the grounds for their objections. It has not been the practice of my Department to hold public inquiries
CENSUS 1961 Area Dwellings Total Vacant Percentage vacant Great Britain … … … 16,272,995 355,864 2.3 Greater London Conurbation … … … 2,467,716 40,229 1.6 London Admin. County … … … 937,834 20,439 2.2 Manchester County Borough … … … 208,679 3,673 1.8 Salford County Borough … … … 50,008 965 1.9 The proportions asked for in the second part of the Question were approximately as follows:
44WVacant dwellings publicly and privately owned, as a percentage of all privately-owned dwellings:
- Great Britain—3 per cent.
- Greater London Conurbation—2 per cent.
- London Admin. County—3 per cent.
- Manchester County Borough—2½ per cent.
- Salford County Borough—2½ per cent.
in cases of this kind. Until the grounds of objection are known I cannot consider whether an inquiry is called for in this case.