HC Deb 12 July 1971 vol 821 cc29-30W
Mr. Rost

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science on what date she officially approved the Derby Education Committee's reorganisation proposals for Sector A ; and on what date the Derby Education Committee officially commenced to send out written notices advising parents and teachers that the reorganisation was being implemented as from next term.

Mrs. Thatcher

My approval was notified on 25th June. I have had inquiries made of the local education authority and I now understand that it told head teachers on 3rd June of the arrangements which would obtain next term if I approved the statutory proposals. Head teachers were, however, authorised to issue letters to parents on 18th June.

Mr. Rost

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many teachers have resigned from schools in Derby Borough Sector A since the reorganisation proposals were published by the Education Committee in January last; how the percentage of resignations compares with resignations in other areas of the borough ; and what explanation for the resignations she has asked for and been given.

Mrs. Thatcher

I have had inquiries made of the local education authority and I understand that 29 teachers have resigned from secondary schools in Sector A since January, 1971. This represents 13.6 per cent. compared with 13.4 per cent. in the rest of the borough. It is not my practice to require explanations of local statistics of this kind.

Mr. Rost

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many individual letters she has received from parents and teachers objecting to the Derby Education Committee's proposals for reorganisation of secondary education in Sector A, and what replies she has sent.

Mrs. Thatcher

I received 366 letters from objectors to the local authority's proposals under Section 13 of the Education Act, 1944. I do not know how many of them came from teachers. I am send- ing my hon. Friend a copy of the reply sent to the objectors by my Department on 2nd July.

Mr. Rost

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what reply she gave to the Breadsall/Chaddesden Parents' Committee who lodged an official objection on 8th March last to the proposed reorganisation of secondary education in Sector A in Derby ; when the reply was sent; and what consultation has taken place between the committee and her Department ;

(2) what consultations she has held with elected representatives of the committee of parents objecting to the proposals for the reorganisation of secondary education in Derby Borough Sector A ; and when they took place.

Mrs. Thatcher

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the Department's official reply of 2nd July to this committee. It did not seek a discussion with me, but before I reached my decision on the local authority's proposals I gave careful consideration, as my hon. Friend knows, to the committee's views. No other committee of parents expressed objections.