§ Mr. Alec Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what percentage of schoolchildren in Wales continued school- 296W ing beyond the statutory leaving age in 1968; and how this compares with 1964.
(2) what was the number of comprehensive schools and the number of comprehensive school pupils in Wales in the years 1964 and 1968; and what local education authorities in Wales have failed to produce plans for comprehensive schools.
§ Miss BaconI have been asked to reply.
In January, 1964, there were 36 comprehensive schools in Wales with 23,909 pupils in them. In January, 1968, there were 118 comprehensive schools with 80,387 pupils. All local education authorities in Wales whose secondary education was not already organised on comprehensive lines have submitted plans for the reorganisation of their areas.
The percentage of children staying on in maintained schools (excluding special schools) in Wales was, in January, 1964, 30.2 and, in January, 1968, 47.9.