HC Deb 11 December 1974 vol 883 cc179-80W
Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many grammar school places are available in secondary schools in North Down.

Mr. Moyle

There are at present about 3,575 grammar school places in the five grammar schools in North Down.

Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, in each of the last three years for which figures are available, how many boys and girls in North Down who passed the 11-plus examination were unable to obtain a grammar school place because of a shortage of such places.

Mr. Moyle

The Northern Ireland Department of Education and the South Eastern Education and Library Board do not know of any qualified pupil in North Down who was unable to secure admission to a grammar school in the past three years.

Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to increase the number of grammar school places for children in North Down; how many additional places are to be provided; and when these are expected to be ready.

Mr. Moyle

Building work is in progress at two grammar schools, Regent House School, Newtownards, and Sullivan Upper School, Holywood, which at present have respectively about 980 and 750 pupils over the age of 11. When the work is completed, probably in 1975, they will have accommodation for up to 1,350 and 900 such pupils, respectively.