§ 18. Mr. Ovendenasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which local education authorities have still not submitted proposals for comprehensive reorganisation of secondary education and what action she has taken to secure compliance with the provisions of the Education Act 1976.
§ 25. Mr. Flanneryasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if there is any change in regard to the few education authorities which have refused to implement plans for comprehensive reorganisation.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsKirklees has refused to submit reorganisation proposals and I have initiated legal proceedings to secure the authority's compliance. Proposals from Birmingham are still outstanding, pending the outcome of court proceedings. A number of other authorities, including Kent, have submitted proposals with dates of implementation far in the future. In these cases, I am urging the authorities to make speedier progress—I met representatives of Kent last week—and I am using my powers as necessary under the Act to require further proposals.