asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how soon he expects to make a decision on the Louth plan; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend approved the Lincolnshire Lindsey authority's proposals for Louth on 9th November.

First, will the right hon. Gentleman accept my thanks for giving a quick decision in this matter and taking away the uncertainty? But is it not rather discourteous to answer a Parliamentary Question like this in a local newspaper 24 hours before it is answered in the House? I learned the answer to this Question from the local newspaper 24 hours ago, and it seems astonishing that an answer should be given in that way 24 hours before the Question is asked in the House.

The newspaper report to which the hon. Gentleman refers was not an answer to a Parliamentary Question. It reported the fact that the Department had answered the local education authority which, months ago, had asked for a decision. The decision was conveyed to it on 9th November. The education authority had been waiting a very long time. It is surprising that the last Government delayed a reply for so long, and we had an obligation to the authority to let it know as quickly as possible. We had to act with reasonable speed, which we did.

Since this was a Question put down for Oral Answer, is it not a gross discourtesy to the House, even with the best interpretation the Minister puts upon it, to have the Answer published 24 hours earlier in a local newspaper?

The hon. Gentleman is making a fuss about nothing. He will recall that he himself wrote to the previous Minister complaining about the delay and urging that a reply be sent as quickly as possible.

Does the Minister realise that part of the reason for the delay was precisely that certain questions of principle were involved and it was then thought, rightly, that the Minister who would be responsible in the new Parliament ought to be the one to take the decision?

Nevertheless, the local education authority has been faced with certain serious problems because of the delay. I take this opportunity to point out that this is a scheme involving progress towards the comprehensive system which seems to have had almost unanimous support in the area, including, I believe, the support of the hon. Member for Louth (Sir C. Osborne), who in this matter is showing a more enlightened attitude than some of his hon. Friends.