§ Mr. Mike Nobleasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the representations he has received from interested parties in Tameside about present uncertainties regarding the arrangements for secondary education for September 1976.
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§ Miss Margaret JacksonMy right hon. Friend has received some 70 letters and telegrams of protest, mainly from parents and local teacher, trade union and Labour Party organisations. He has also received two petitions containing some 280 signatures. Three letters have been sent supporting the new council's proposals.
The protests relate, mainly, to the reintroduction of selection, to the possible waste of public money if reorganisation is halted, and to concern that the education of the children will be adversely affected by uncertainty and disruption.
My right hon. Friend invited members of the authority to meet him on Monday 24th or Wednesday 26th May. This they were unable to do. He has now asked the authority to provide, a precise and detailed statement of their intentions for September 1976.