§ 13. Mr. Willeyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what reply she has made to the representatives of the Sunderland Council of Churches about the provision of a fully comprehensive system of secondary education in Sunderland.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeThe Department has written to the Council explaining that later this month my noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State will be meeting a deputation from the Sunderland local education authority to discuss this question.
§ 43. Mr. Scott-Hopkinsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many local education authorities in England and Wales have adopted a middle school system entailing transfer from primary school of children of nine years of age; and if she will re-examine this method of secondary education.
§ Mrs. ThatcherAt 1st January, 1971, the latest date for which information is available, 13 authorities operated 9–13 middle school schemes in the whole or a part of their area I consider on their merits all proposals submitted to me under Section 13 of the Education Act, 1944, as amended.
§ Mr. Carterasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of secondary schools are now comprehensive in their organisation.
§ Mrs. ThatcherAbout 25 per cent. of maintained secondary schools in England.