§ Mr. Armstrongasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what evidence he has received of public reaction to schemes for reorganising secondary education on comprehensive lines; and if he will publish details of any survey recently undertaken.
§ Mr. CroslandThe main evidence is the result of the last two General Elections. In addition, I have seen the results of surveys carried out by the Gallup Poll in March and April of this year. Those questioned in April were asked whether they approved or disapproved of some of the things which the Government were planning to carry out. On the development of comprehensive education the replies were as follows:
Approve … 55 per cent. Disapprove … 21 per cent. Don't know … 24 per cent. In March those questioned were asked if they had heard about comprehensive schools, and if so whether they thought they were a good idea and should be extended or whether they disliked the idea. The replies, together with those to a similar question last December, were as follows:
March, 1966 December, 1965 Per cent. Per cent. Good idea … 50 40 Dislike … 18 17 Don't know … 18 23 Not heard of … 14 20