§ 24. Mr. Silvesterasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will undertake discussions with those local education authorities which have obtained his approval for schemes of secondary reorganisation, with 199W a view to securing the postponement for two years of those schemes in the design of which the raising of the school-leaving age in 1971 had been of crucial importance.
§ Mr. Gordon WalkerNo. My aim is to help local education authorities so far as possible to avoid postponement of reorganisation.
§ 35. Mr. Peter Millsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the reorganisation of secondary education in the Okehampton area of Devon.
§ Miss BaconThe Devon Local Education Authority's proposal to establish an all-through comprehensive school for this area was approved by my right hon. Friend's predecessor last July under Section 13 of the Education Act, 1944.
§ 36. Mr. Peter Millsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the reorganisation of secondary education in the Bideford area of North Devon.
§ Miss BaconThe Devon Local Education Authority is anxious to make progress in this area but has not yet been able to submit proposals to us.
§ Mr. van Straubenzeeasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many local education authorities have informed him of plans for secondary school reorganisation involving the transfer of children from a lower to an upper school at the age of 14 years.
§ Mr. Gordon WalkerI have approved such arrangements in the areas of 21 local education authorities.