§ 36. Mr. William Sheltonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many local education authorities have as yet not carried out his instructions given in Circular 4/74 to prepare plans for the implementation of fully comprehensive education in their respective areas.
§ Mr. ArmstrongI would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 31st January to my right hon. Friend the Member for Dartford (Mr. Irving)—[Vol. 885, c. 336]. Since then the figure has dropped from 23 to 15.
§ 38. Mr. Norman Lamontasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on his discussions with local authorities about the introduction of comprehensive education.
§ Mr. ArmstrongMy right hon. Friend told the House on 27th January of his intention to initiate discussions in cases where a local education authority's response to Circular 4/74 was unsatisfactory. The responses received are being carefully studied and no such discussions have yet taken place.