HC Deb 19 December 1961 vol 651 cc148-9W
Mr. Harold Davies

asked the Minister of Education (1) if he is aware that in 1961 501 children sat for the 11-plus examination in the Cheadle Rural District Council area and 90 places were offered; and what steps he is taking to increase the places offered in 1962, 1963 and subsequent years;

(2) if he is aware that in 1961 in Leek Urban District Council and Rural District Council areas 525 children took the 11-plus examination and that 119 places were offered; and whether he is taking immediate steps to improve this position by offering more places in 1962, 1963 and subsequent years;

(3) if he is aware that in the Kids-grove Urban District Council area in 1961 322 children took the 11-plus examination and were offered only 61 places; and what steps are being taken to increase the number of places offered to the children of Kidsgrove in 1962, 1963 and subsequent years;

(4) if he is aware that in 1961, 212 children sat for the 11-plus examination in Biddulph Urban District Council area and only 57 places were offered; and whether he is taking steps to offer more places in 1962, 1963, and subsequent years.

Sir D. Eccles

The figures are in each case those I gave in my reply of 12th December and they relate to the numbers of pupils who qualified for places in selective schools. The distribution of places between selective schools and other types of secondary schools is a matter within the discretion of the local education authority. A new grammar school at Cheadle is being built and is expected to be available next September. Another grammar school at Blythe Bridge is also included in the major building programme.