County and Voluntary Schools

Oral Answers to Questions — Education and Science – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 11 Rhagfyr 1973.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Mr Barry Jones Mr Barry Jones , Flintshire East 12:00, 11 Rhagfyr 1973

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make a statement on her policy with regard to Section 13 of the Education Act 1944 (Establishment and discontinuance of county and voluntary schools).

Photo of Mr Barry Jones Mr Barry Jones , Flintshire East

Is the right hon. Lady aware of the disquiet over her interpretation of her powers in Section 13? Is her policy not designed to make it difficult for any local education authority to implement comprehensive schemes?

Photo of Mrs Margaret Thatcher Mrs Margaret Thatcher Secretary of State for Education and Science, Shadow Secretary of State for Education and Science

No. The people who dislike the decisions dislike them because they dislike the policy. I am not here to implement a Socialist education policy.

Photo of Mr Ernest Armstrong Mr Ernest Armstrong , North West Durham

Is it not time that the Secretary of State accepted her full responsibility instead of hiding behind separate schemes? Should she not tell the country where she stands on selection and secondary reorganisation?

Photo of Mrs Margaret Thatcher Mrs Margaret Thatcher Secretary of State for Education and Science, Shadow Secretary of State for Education and Science

I accept full responsibility. It is open to anyone who claims that his interests are adversely affected by one of my decisions to test the validity of his claim in the courts.