asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he Will pay an early visit to Brentwood.

My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so.

If the Secretary of State or the hon. Lady decides to visit Brentwood, will he or she take the opportunity to visit two excellent direct grant schools in the area and explain to teachers why the Government appear to be hell bent on eliminating two educational institutions which not only cover all social classes but which, by common consent, provide excellent education for all children who attend them?

If I may deal with a hypothetical question in a hypothetical way, if I were to visit Brentwood I should consult the hon. Gentleman, but since we are hell bent on changing the system of direct grant schools they will no longer exist when I make my visit.