asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what response she has had to her request to eight local education authorities to submit their plans for comprehensive education by 24th May 1977.

Complete replies to the Department's letter of 24th November have been received from Bexley and Kingston. Provisional replies containing proposals which are subject to ratification by education committees or councils or both have been submitted by Buckinghamshire, Essex and Sutton, and I expect to receive a similar reply from Trafford before the end of the month. Incomplete proposals have been received from Redbridge. Tameside has not yet submitted proposals of any kind.