§ Mr. Hefferasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she will make available to interested parties a 267W detailed analysis of any objection to the Liverpool Education Authority scheme for reorganising certain secondary schools on comprehensive lines.
§ Mrs. ThatcherMy Department's practice is to send to the local education authority—or other promoters—the main material of any objections made to proposals submitted under Section 13 of the Education Act 1944 (as amended); and to invite their comments. This has been done in the present case and I shall reach a decision on the proposals as soon as all the material is available.
§ Mr. Hefferasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many objectors communicated with her under Section 13 of the Education Act 1944 in regard to the Liverpool Education Authority scheme to reorganise certain secondary schools on comprehensive lines; if such objections were made; to which schools the objections were directed; and what was the nature of such objections.
§ Mrs. ThatcherSome 10,000 persons signed objections which were mainly directed to eight proposals (Childwall Valley, Aigburth Vale, Liverpool Institute, Liverpool Collegiate, Evered High, John Hamilton, Holly Lodge/Bankfield, Queen Mary High/Roscoe). The grounds of objection included opposition to the principle of large neighbourhood schools; alleged lack of consultation, lack of parental choice, and unsuitability of existing buildings for the purpose proposed.
§ Mr. Hefferasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she will make available her decisions regarding Liverpool's comprehensive school scheme, having regard to the Liverpool Education Authority's desire to reorganise schools on comprehensive lines from September 1973.
§ Mrs. ThatcherThese complex proposals, which have attracted substantial objection, require careful consideration but I shall make my decision as soon as possible.