§ Mr. R. MORRISONasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is considering the advisability of sanctioning the scheme for higher-tops at St. George's non-provided elementary school, Ramsgate; whether he is aware that this particular school is wholly unsuited for such a purpose and that the proposal would be detrimental to the existing secondary schools; and whether, in view of the present administration of education in Ramsgate, he will withhold sanction to this scheme until the local education authority have properly reorganised the administration of education in their area?
§ Mr. TREVELYANThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Plans for substantial alterations and improvements to the buildings, designed to make them structurally suitable for the purposes suggested, are now before the board. The relations of the proposed higher tops to the existing secondary schools have been discussed by the Ramsgate local education authority with the local education authority for Kent. An agreement has been reached, and I have no reason to suppose that there will be any detrimental competition between the schools. The whole scheme has been very carefully investigated by the board in consultation with the managers and the local education authority who regard the proposed re-organisation of St. George's schools as conducive to the proper coordination of all forms of education in Ramsgate.