§ Mr. Michael Cocksasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if 382W she will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the result of the poll of primary school parents submitted to her conducted on the proposed reorganisation of Roman Catholic secondary schools in Bristol.
§ Mr. RaisonNo. This information was provided by the Bishop of Clifton before the statutory proposals were published.
§ Mr. Michael Cocksasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science on how many occasions she has agreed to the incorporation of a selective school in a secondary reorganisation; and how many times she has refused to approve such an incorporation.
§ Mr. RaisonI regret that the information is not available in this form. My right hon. Friend has approved approximately 300 and rejected 60 proposals either to cease to maintain a grammar school or to make a significant change in its character so as to admit pupils without reference to ability or aptitude.
§ Mr. Michael Cocksasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what application she has received from the Bristol Local Education Authority for the proposed reorganisation of Roman Catholic secondary schools in Bristol; and whether any application has been withdrawn or amended since control of the Bristol City Council changed hands.
§ Mr. RaisonThe statutory proposals to reorganise Bristol Roman Catholic secondary schools were made by the Roman Catholic authorities in October 1972, and had the support of the Bristol Local Education Authority. There has been no change since then.
§ Mr. Michael Cocksasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she has received a letter of protest from the Bristol Diocesan Schools Commission over her rejection of the proposed reorganisation of Roman Catholic secondary schools in Bristol; and what reply she has sent.
§ Mr. RaisonYes. The reply indicated that the Secretary of State could not reconsider decisions already given under Section 13 of the Education Act 1944, as amended, but she could consider fresh proposals.
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§ Mr. Michael Cocksasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much opposition she received to the proposed reorganisation of Roman Catholic secondary schools in Bristol; in what form it came; and how she compared it with expressions of support she received.
§ Mr. RaisonMy right hon. Friend received objections signed by over 3,000 persons in the form of letters and petitions. She considered these, a petition in support with over 4,000 signatures, and all the educational implications, before taking her decision.