§ 57. Dame Irene Wardasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she has read the report of Sir William Reid, Chairman of the Northern Economic Planning Council, on the position of children in education; and whether she is taking steps to act on his recommendations.
§ Mr. St. John-StevasI assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the memorandum "Bridging the Gap" which was the subject of a Press conference held by Sir William in November last year. The memorandum was sent to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment and I have nothing to add to his reply of 18th December. The report on education "Challenge of the Changing North" was published in September 1970 and my right hon. Friend's detailed comments on the recommendations were sent to the chairman in April 1971.