§ Mr. Carterasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will publish the times and manner in which each of the following groups were notified of her decision concerning Birmingham secondary reorganisation, namely the local education authority, Catholic schools, Conservative Members of Parliament, Labour Members of Parliament and the Press.
§ Mrs. ThatcherOn 28th June an officer of my Department delivered the letters containing my decisions to the Chairman of Birmingham Education Committee at 3 p.m. and to the Secretary of the Roman Catholic Archdiocesan Schools Commission and to the Church of England Diocesan Director of Education at 3.05 p.m. Copies of the letters for the 13 Members of Parliament for Birmingham constituencies were delivered to the House of Commons just after 3.30 p.m. Copies of the letters were released to the Press at 4 p.m.
§ Mr. Carterasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why it is her practice to notify Conservative Members of Parliament of changes in secondary reorganisation in their area prior to Labour Members of Parliament, the local education authority and other interested bodies.
§ Mrs. ThatcherIt is not my practice. Where a Member of Parliament of whatever party has signified a constituency interest, I or my noble Friend the Under-Secretary inform the Member usually by letter after the official letter conveying my decision on a proposal under Section 13 of the Education Act 1944 has been despatched to the local education authority.