§ Mr. Barnettasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, in view of the fact that in the Urban District of Whitworth only 13 per cent. of children considered were allocated grammar school places, if he is satisfied that the educational facilities available are adequate to provide full opportunities for these children; what information he has on the reasons for the disparity; and what action he proposes to take.
§ Mr. CroslandI have no reason to believe that educational facilities available to children of Whitworth are inadequate in any way which would affect the results of the 11 plus. It is unfortunately quite usual for the proportion of children qualifying for a grammar school place to vary from one area to another inside a single local education authority. Action for the future lies in the implementation of the Government's policy to reorganise secondary education on comprehensive lines and the Lancashire Education Authority is already considering how best to achieve this in the County.