§ Mr. Roebuckasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement about the progress made towards the introduction of comprehensive education in the London Borough of Harrow.
§ Miss BaconThe Harrow Authority submitted proposals in response to Circular 10/65 on 26th October, 1966. These proposals were rejected by my right hon. Friend's predecessor on 26th January, 1967 because the form of organisation envisaged involved a continuation of the selective system. The Authority were asked to reconsider the possibilities and to submit revised proposals in accordance with the intentions of Circular 10/65. Representatives of the Authority met officers of the Department on 7th March to discuss possible lines on which more acceptable proposals might be formulated. Since then I understand that the Authority have been considering possible solutions, but they have made no further formal submission to the Department.
§ Mr. Roebuckasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many local authority schemes for comprehensive education have been implemented wholly or in part, or been approved by his department; how many are being considered by his Department; and how many local authorities schemes are still awaited.
§ Miss Bacon101 local education authorities now have schemes covering the whole or part of their areas either implemented or approved; proposals 409W from a further 21 authorities are now being considered by my Department; and we are still awaiting proposals from 24 authorities. There are four authorities which have declined to submit a scheme and 12 which my right hon. Friend has asked to reconsider the proposals which they submitted to him.