asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, in view of unemployment among schoolteachers, he will make provision for optional early retirement on a reduced pension.

I am considering what measures may be possible.

Will the right hon. Gentleman import some sense of urgency into his considerations? Is he aware of the demoralisation among potential schoolteachers who train for this exacting job and who now find themselves without any possibility of employment? Would not such provision open up some possibilities of recruitment of new entrants to the profession?

The Working Party on Teachers' Superannuation is about to consider some proposals put forward by teachers. It may be better to deal with this matter by way of compensation regulations. The hon. Gentleman should not put the teacher employment position out of perspective. Naturally, we do not want anyone to be unemployed, least of all teachers, but less than ¾ per cent. of the teaching profession is unemployed. The increase this year as against last year, when there were chronic shortages, is less than ¼ per cent. We should not get the matter out of perspective.

As the right hon. Gentleman is considering superannuation schemes and compensation, will he carefully consider the position of heads of schools who, through no fault of their own, may have run out of steam and who need to seek other employment? The maintained sector should part honourably and generously with them to allow a more dynamic leadership to take over.

I am sure that great interest will be taken in the hon. Gentleman's question. Whether the heads concerned would agree with him is a matter for argument. This is essentially a matter for the local authorities, because they employ the teachers. I shall put the point to them. Any arrangements have to be tripartite, among the teachers' organisations, the local authorities and myself.

As the Secretary of State has said that teacher unemployment might rise to 10,000 in the next year, what discussions has he had with local education authorities to dissuade them from taking the easy way out and not fulfilling their teacher quotas, which would be an immensely damaging and short-term solution?

I have not given any figure for the expectations of teacher unemployment, because, with all the uncertainties about wastage and so on, I do not know whether anyone can give a precise figure at this stage. I spoke last summer to the local education authoritie—I did not wait until now—and asked them to fulfil their quotas. I told them that they should give priority to young teachers leaving college as opposed to those who had formerly been teachers and who had left the profession and who now, because conditions had improved, wanted to re-enter it. It is for the local education authorities to determine whom they employ, not me.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has any plans to visit Sussex University.

I have no plans to visit the university at present.

Following the banning of the meeting which was to be addressed by the hon. Member for Antrim, South (Mr. Molyneaux) on 25th November at the university, will the Secretary of State take this opportunity to confirm that he and his Department will seek to preserve the crucial principle of free speech at our universities?

I regard it as deplorable that free speech should be limited, whether on university campuses or elsewhere, by threats of violence.

Will my right hon. Friend agree that although we wish to defend free speech, when events take place such as those that occurred at the meeting of National Council for Civil Liberties in Manchester recently, they are bound to create deep feelings, especially when there is violence as a result of actions by organisations such as the National Front, and that that is bound to make people worry even if they want to defend free speech?

I accept what my hon. Friend has said. I am not familiar with the details of the meeting in Manchester to which he has referred Those in authority sometimes have to determine difficult issues, for instance, whether there is a risk of public disorder and injury, or a possibility that they may be condemned for taking decisions which may appear to be against free speech. The police and other authorities have some difficult decisions to make.

Is the Minister aware that this is the second time that this has happened at Sussex University? Two years ago, the lecture of a distinguished Harvard academic, Professor Huntington, was disrupted. The authorities were forewarned by telephone, but they ignored the warning and did nothing afterwards. Could the University Grants Committee be given a hint at some time that the provision of public funds to higher education institutions that cannot guarantee the continuance of free speech and tolerance is an affront to British taxpayers?

I think that on more mature reflection the hon. Gentleman will realise that this is not a matter that can be dealt with merely by a reference to the University Grants Committee. One small consolation that we might have, since the other incident occurred two years ago, is that at least it is bipartisan as regards political complexion of the Government of the day.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent representations he has received from rural community councils and other bodies representative of rural areas on the proposals of the Working Party on School Transport.

The hon. Member presumably has in mind the consultative document of which copies were placed in the Library in October. I have received 16 representations from bodies in rural areas, and I will take them into account in considering the future of school transport.

Will the Secretary of State take particular note of the deep opposition among parents in rural areas who live more than two or three miles from the schools that their children attend to the idea of having to pay a charge? Will he recognise that in many cases these children are travelling long distances to school not by any choice, but because of the closure of village primary schools and the consequences of the reorganisation of secondary education?

I am aware of the problems. It is precisely because of the difficulty of balance that I thought it right not to take any steps until I had had full consultations with the local authorities, which are likely to take some considerable time. It may well be that we shall not find a solution which will be acceptable to everyone.

How soon does my right hon. Friend expect to be in a position to bring to the House fresh proposals for legislation on this subject?

Until the consultations are concluded—local authorities rightly have a key part to play in this—I am not at all sure that there will be a basis upon which legislation can proceed. However, I stress to my hon. Friend and to other hon. Members that if they so wish local authorities may make transport arrangements for any distance. They are not limited to the three and two miles to which the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith) referred.

How can the Secretary of State justify the assertion in his consultative document that a flat-rate charge of 7p would be sufficient to secure equality of treatment for all those schoolchildren who need transport at no extra cost to public funds? Surely on the Department's own figures, which have been given in a number of Written Answers, the charge would probably be nearer 14p than 7p, and that would need a contribution from each parent of £1·40 a week for each child.

The figure of 7p was the figure that was worked out on the best information that we had as to the likely number of people affected. Obviously, it will need updating since the time the consultation document was prepared, because, unhappily, bus fares are rising in different parts of the country and at different dates. If the hon. Gentleman is interested, I shall see whether we can update the figure.

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that the fares of many bus companies have increased for children from half to two-thirds of the full adult fare and that this is imposing terrible burdens on low income families? In some cases it is taking a substantial part of the available income of the £6 a week. In these circumstances, does not my right hon. Friend consider that the report should be expedited?

It is a conflict between those who, as we have heard from the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, now have free transport and who are unwilling, even if they could afford it, to make a contribution, as against those under the statutory distance, where the local authority does not seek to exercise its discretion to provide free transport, who are having to meet these increased fares. One key part of my proposals, which were only tentative, is that there would be arrangements for remission of these charges in cases of hardship, as with school meals. But it is a very difficult decision for all concerned and until local authorities feel able to advise me as to their conclusions, I do not think that I can make any further progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why, in the year ended 31st March 1975, less than 27 per cent. of orders for computers under one Atlas power were placed with British manufacturers.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to orders placed by universities. Computers under one Atlas power are not subject to Government procurement policy, but I understand that universities order them from overseas manufacturers only when suitable British machines are not available.

Does not the Minister agree that British manufacturers of these smaller computers are certainly equal to, if not superior to, foreign manufacturers? Is it not rather odd that, when the Government are urging people to "Buy British", his own Ministry should not urge universities to encourage our own British computer industry by buying computers equally satisfactory for their needs?

I agree that it would be highly desirable that they should, but I am advised that they buy from abroad only when they feel that to do so meets their particular need better than what it available here. However, if the hon. Gentleman would care to contact me further to see whether we can improve collaboration between the British manufacturers and universities, I should be happy to work with him to that end.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he will take to improve the housing prospects for students in the academic year 1976–77.

About 4,400 university residential places and about 1,400 polytechnic residential places were started during 1974–75 and most of these places should be brought into use by the next academic session. A further 2,500 university places and some 2,100 polytechnic places are expected to start in the current financial year and some at least should become available in the course of 1976–77.

I am grateful for that reply, as far as it goes, and for the sympathetic attitude of the Minister of State when I saw him recently. However, will the Secretary of State go a little further and make clear that he and his colleagues will keep up all possible pressure on other Government Departments, notably the Department of the Environment in the context of the Rent Acts, so as to get still more accommodation available for students at the earliest possible date?

I share the hon. Gentleman's concern to make more accommodation available for students. However, at the same time, I am not unaware of the problems of housing that affect people other than students, too. It is very difficult to say that in all circumstances students should be given priority. For example, I know that students—there is evidence to support this—are not anxious for amendment of the Rent Acts to give them any preferential treatment. Perhaps provision on the lines already started in Sheffield and under consideration elsewhere, with housing schemes undertaken in conjunction with the local authority and the Department of the Environment, might be a useful way forward.

Will the right hon. Gentleman recognise that there is a major need for his Department to do something about this problem, bearing in mind that Government policy on rented properties has dried up the supply in many areas?

I think that there is no evidence that a particular exemption for students would necessarily produce any additional accommodation.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will investigate factors which may discourage householders offering accommodation to students.

I expect that the accommodation survey undertaken by the University Grants Committee at the beginning of this academic year will throw some light on the attitude of householders offering rooms to students.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that one of the most useful and economical ways of extending student accommodation would be to encourage householders to accept students into their homes for a limited period with a sense of social duty as much as for profit? Is he aware that there are some fears that taxation arrangements may inhibit that sort of arrangement, and that some householders are afraid that they may be liable for taxation if they offer accommodation?

I am aware of that concern, but I think that it has been very much exaggerated. On 6th November the Inland Revenue issued a statement about the effect of capital gains tax on owner-occupiers who let accommodation. When lodgers live with a family, there is no taxation. In other instances the impact could be very small. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is conducting a review of the capital gains tax. I shall certainly draw this matter to his attention so that it can be brought within the purview of the report.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this matter needs investigation? Does not every expert know that our rent legislation is among the worst of any endured by any country in the Western world? Unless that legislation is amended, the problems of the homeless, including students, are certain to get worse and worse.

I do not think that this matter falls within my departmental responsibility, but my impression, for what it is worth, is that without rent protection many of those who now have homes would be joining the homeless.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what conclusions he has reached as a result of his current talks with youth organisations; and if he will make a statement as to the future of the youth service.

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the summary of the discussions on which the comments of participants have been sought. As he will see, there is a consensus in favour of some form of national consultative machinery, but no decision on this or on other matters will be reached until my right hon. Friend has received and considered all the comments and recommendations which have been made.

Will the Minister stop fiddling while Rome bums and realise that 70,000 school leavers are still unemployed and that his consultations about the Youth Service and the state of that service are of no interest to them? Or is it that the Government youth leader in general is just not interested in young people?

In this country we do not go in for the fuhrer precept. On the serious side of the question, these consultations are intended precisely for the purpose—and the hon. Gentleman was active in suggesting that they should take place—of ensuring that the people engaged in the Youth Service, including representatives of the young people themselves, get together and have the opportunity of making recommendations. Those recommendations have been made. They are now being considered. Fairly early in the New Year I hope to bring forward to my right hon. Friend recommendations which will be a consensus of the body of opinion expressed in the past few months.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is satisfied with the level of discipline in schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is satisfied with the level of discipline in schools.

I doubt whether there has ever been a time when one could have been wholly satisfied about this. I realise that there are influences mainly outside the school which make discipline these days more difficult; but I do not accept that behaviour problems are as widespread as is often suggested.

Is the hon. Lady aware of the widespread frustration that is felt by parents who are unable to assist in their children's education because they have no choice of school? Is she aware of a recent report that indicates that a number of school leavers are regarded as unemployable because of their attitude towards employment? Does she agree that the best long-term interests of a child are brought out in a disciplined environment, which is often not available?

The answer to most of those questions is "No". However, to give a general answer, I am impressed by the number of parents who take a part in their children's education by their involvement in the schools. We should do well to look not so much at the schools as at influences outside the schools. We must bear in mind the pressures to which young people are now subjected.

Does my hon. Friend agree that those parents most conspicuous in abrogating any responsibility for their children's education are those who send them away to boarding schools?

That is a point of view with which I have a lot of sympathy.

Although I accept the hon. Lady's point about outside influences, does she accept that a growing number of parents are very concerned about the Government's over-emphasis on the type of school rather than an standards within schools? Will she support those members of the teaching profession who demand certain standards of dress and who, for instance, refuse to allow girls to wear jewellery?

Dress within schools is largely a matter for the schools and for the heads of schools. One of the main arguments for comprehensive reorganisation was that we wanted to make available to children opportunities for them all to reach the same standards. We do not want standards to be considered only in the context of selective education.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received requesting increased Government funds for the work of science research in the United Kingdom.

I have received two memoranda on the general financial situation of the universities which have included a reference to their research requirements. Some of the research councils have also in their annual reports drawn attention to present financial restraints on their activities.

I am grateful for the right hon. Gentleman's reply. Does he recognise the deep concern which exists in scientific and research circles because of the level of inflation and the effect that it is having on their research programmes? Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House whether it is his Department which directs science policy, or whether responsibility is loosely fragmented through other Departments?

As the hon. Gentleman will know, following the adoption by the previous Government of the Rothschild recommendations, the other Departments concerned with research have a consumer "interest and fund certain projects on that basis. My Department is responsible for general science policy. The advisory boards of the research councils which operate the funds between the councils are independent bodies. They decide the detailed application of the funds.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the recent report of the Chief Statistician of the Department of the Environment and the Chairman of the Science Research Council drawing attention to the declining numbers entering post-graduate engineering courses, particularly in comparison with the position in Germany, and seeking to promote relations with industry to encourage manufacturing technology? What is his Department's thinking? What liaison does he have with other Department—for example, the Department of Industry—and with industry? As his Department did not bring forward a White Paper on the Public Expenditure Report on post-graduate education, although that Report was in existence for 18 months, will it now start bringing forward proposals to the House so that we can deal with this important issue?

As regards engineering graduates, I recall that the figures for the current year are rather better than those for last year. I take it that the hon. Gentleman has not seen the important Press announcement made by the Science Research Council only last week about manufacturing technology, which referred to whether a teaching hospital should have, as it were, a "teaching factory". The council issued its statement last week and I shall send a copy to the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy with regard to the starting age for primary schoolchildren.

Local education authorities have a statutory obligation to provide full-time primary education for children from the beginning of the term following their fifth birthday, and discretion to admit the children at an earlier age. This discretion is governed for the time being by the need to restrain expenditure. Authorities can only admit children of three and four years of age up to the limit of the capacity of their nursery schools or classes. Children of this age should not be admitted to ordinary classes in infants schools except that rising-fives may be admitted to otherwise vacant places if any additional call thereby made on resources is only marginal.

Does the hon. Lady accept that there is a vital need to have a clear policy and to stop the present shilly-shallying? Does she not agree that it is unfair that a child should have been firmly offered a school place in the fourth year only to have that offer withdrawn? That has often happened. Does she appreciate that frequently school uniforms have been bought and other arrangements have been made? Very often children have been initiated into assemblies and school plays on the understanding that they will start school. The situation now is that apparently they will be unable to start because of the hon. Lady's policy. Will she not think about the children and consider how the parents are to tell them that they are not being allowed to start school?

I thought that I had made the position perfectly clear to the hon. Lady when I worked out my detailed answer. The hon. Lady may have some particular problem in her constituency. I know that she is bringing a deputation to see me after the Christmas Recess to discuss the whole subject of the rising-fives and school-starting dates. I shall be happy to discuss any particular problems with her.

May I assure my hon. Friend that many parents are distressed by recent decisions by some local education authorities which mean that some children expecting to go to school at a certain time will now not be able to do so? People such as myself who felt that it was a retrograde step to increase the school-leaving age rather than reduce the school entry age feel that it is a further retrograde step that children are being deprived of several months at school at an age when their minds are most receptive.

The argument about whether we should raise the school-leaving age or concentrate resources on the pre-school child was debated by the House. We know what the decision was. Many hon. Members have very different views on the matter. Perhaps we shall be able to discuss it at some future date.

Will the hon. Lady take steps to inform Labour candidates and trades councils of her policy so that they will not continue to attack county councils whose only offence is to carry out her Department's policy on the rising fives?

If the hon. Gentleman will give me details as to where he thinks people are ill-informed about Government policy, I shall do my best to clarify the situation. If people read the answers given today, they will not be in any doubt.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will bring forward legislation to make sure that all children receive full-time education from their fifth birthday.

No, Sir.

Does my hon. Friend appreciate that that reply is disappointing? Is she aware that many of my constituents are extremely worried about the situation because their children do not get to infant school at the proper time, and, if they do, they spend only a short time there? Is it not time that the Government introduced amending legislation to ensure that the onus is not left to local authorities? Should we not ensure that all children receive full-time education from their fifth birthday?

I am tempted to say that my reply disappoints me, too, to some extent, but it is very difficult to insist that schools should take in children haphazardly through the year. This would mean that some children, depending on their birth dates, would have advantages over others. But the law at present requires that children should receive full-time education from the start of the term following their fifth birthdays. Local authorities make their own arrangements if children wish to start earlier than that. This is an important point, but I would add that there are many children who would not benefit from starting school before their fifth birthdays. One wants to see a different type of provision for such children in nursery schools.

Is the Minister aware that there is considerable feeling in all parties and among the public about the level of infant school teaching? Children who have only four or five terms at infant school are deprived right through junior and secondary school. I believe that there should be a movement towards a full two-year infant school period irrespective of when the birthday falls in the fifth year. What people resent about public expenditure cuts is their effect on the rising fives, since this will increase the level of deprivation for children throughout the country.

There is now a change in many areas towards a middle-school system, and problems relating to the relationships of children in the years between infant school and junior school are being dealt with. Although it is true that a child's birthday largely dictates how long a child stays in infant school—and I accept that many children benefit from being there for longer—it is true that, even with the present restrictions, many children are gaining admission to nursery school, play groups and other pre-school facilities. When everyone—including the hon. Member for Brent, North (Dr. Boyson—faces restraint in public expenditure, it is helpful if hon. Members instance the areas which they do not want touched rather than make blanket assertions.

Is the hon. Member for Brent, North (Dr. Boyson) aware that many of us are concerned about what happens when children get to school? Is the Minister aware that many of us are concerned about the idea, now being floated, that children should not have to learn the three Rs? Many of us believe that the three Rs are the most important part of education. Indeed, without learning them we should not be able to be so articulate in the House. Will my hon. Friend take note of the fact that it is not a reactionary concept that working-class children should be taught the three Rs?

I know of no school of thought of any renown which advocates that children should not be taught the three Rs. One finds many comments in the Bullock Report—a report I have read with great interest—about the methods of teaching the three Rs rather than about the complete absence of teaching them. Of course it is important that children should learn to read and write. Many educationists have been trying to establish the pace at which children should learn to read and write, and whether it is possible to decide upon an age when all children should be able to read and write.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to provide special education for those disabled children who need it.

It is the responsibility of the local education authorities to secure the provision of special education for children who are discovered to need it; and they have been invited to review this provision at a series of regional conferences which my Department has promoted this year. The number of places in special schools and classes has substantially increased through the building programmes authorised by the Department in recent years, and in the future my right hon. Friend will seek to ensure for handicapped children a fair share of available resources.

I am grateful for that reply, but is my hon. Friend aware that there is deep concern about the lack of special educational facilities for the 6,000 autistic children in Britain? Although those children cannot be helped medically, they can be helped by special education. Is my hon. Friend aware that no fewer than five out of six of these children are not receiving such help? In view of that deplorable and regrettable situation, will she give an assurance that the Secretary of State will contact local authorities and ask them to make provision for special education for all autistic children?

I share my hon. Friend's concern, particularly about autistic children. A great deal of work has been undertaken, and I think he knows that there are disagreements about the best way of dealing with these children. Local authorities inform us of the methods they employ. At the moment, there is a shortage of resources, but autistism should be given high priority when we examine the subject of the handicapped.

Does the Minister agree that we require specially trained and dedicated teachers to look after disabled children? Is she satisfied that training facilities are such as to provide the numbers of teachers required?

The fact that the calls for places in special schools have increased probably points to the fact that we are discovering handicap earlier than previously. Therefore, the hon. Gentleman is probably right to say that we should look more closely at the number of teachers being trained to meet what is likely to be a growing demand. I will take account of the hon. Gentleman's remarks.

Is my hon. Friend aware that Staffordshire County Council in providing good facilities for the handicapped in Newcastle-under-Lyme? Will she ensure that, when the regional conferences meet, they will discuss the provision to be made for small groups of handicapped children and facilities on a region-wide basis?

I shall give that consideration. I think that it is a very good idea.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from the Arts Council with a view to making available to the Council further funds in respect of the current financial year.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on finance for the arts, following the latest report of the Arts Council.

As I explained in the reply I gave to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Edmonton (Mr. Graham) on 8th December, additional provision is proposed for the Arts Council which will provide it with an increase of 31 per cent. over the previous year.—[Official Report, Vol. 902, c. 461]

Although the increase is gratifying, will my hon. Friend give an assurance that the amount made available to the Arts Council will be sufficient to enable the Arts Council to ensure the opening of the National Theatre on the due date and that there will be sufficient funds available to enable the various enterprises that it supports to continue their activities without any significant falling off in standards?

The object of the additional funds, which I hope will be approved by the House, is precisely to enable the Arts Council to carry out those two purposes. It is my sincere hope that the Council with those additional funds will find it possible to ensure that the National Theatre opens on the due date and also that this occurs without milking or making impossible the operation of the theatre throughout the rest of the country.

As the popular Press frequently draws attention to what appear to be absurd projects for which the Arts Council makes grants, what is being done to give a balanced picture of the purposes to which the Council's money is put?

Perhaps the hon. Member has read the Arts Council's report, which was published recently. No one reading that could get the absurd and unbalanced picture which is sometimes conveyed in the popular Press. If anything happens which is a little peculiar, the Press sees that as a very good story, but that is not the whole story. The Council has had very great success in supporting the arts throughout the country. It has supported art which has been seen by many people, but that is not news and we do not hear as much about it as we should.

If the Chequers Guy Fawkes's strategy of investing in success is not entirely blown away by events later today, is it not reasonable to ask the hon. Gentleman to use every effort to see that first priority is given by the Government to investment in our greatest post-war success—the arts? Can he at least guarantee that the grant to the Arts Council in future will be sufficient to enable it to keep abreast of inflation and enable it to fulfil its existing commitments?

The proof of the pudding is in the eating and the supplementary grant I have just announced has enabled us to give the Council an increase of 31 per cent. over last year's figure. That is the best guarantee I can give the hon. Member for the future.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent steps he has taken to ensure the survival of theatre in the United Kingdom.

The survival of the theatre in the United Kingdom is the concern of many different organisations and individuals, including the Arts Council, local authorities and private promoters. I am sure that the supplementary estimate of £2·3 million, if approved, will help the Arts Council to meet the needs of the subsidised theatre as well as its other clients.

Will the hon. Gentleman recognise that these last-minute grant announcements are causing a near breakdown in the living theatre where plans are having to be made now for tours next year? What type of grant will be made by the Government for the coming year is not known, so will the hon. Gentleman consider a triennial system so that the theatres' plans can be formalised and agreed?

The Arts Council, like everybody else, cannot escape entirely from the effects of inflation. That is why the Government's plans for getting inflation under control are as important in the arts as anywhere else. It is useless to have a triennial system in an inflationary situation. The best way of proceeding is to meet the Arts Council's needs as best we can at the time. A triennial situation with forewarning is desirable and we shall return to it as soon as we can, but controlling inflation is the first necessity before returning to such a system.

Is my hon. Friend aware that many people are more worried about the continued survival of the United Kingdom within the Common Market than about the survival of the theatre? But is he also aware that we should like a great deal more money to be given to the theatre? Does he agree that it ill becomes Opposition Members, who are constantly asking for cuts in expenditure, to ask for more money to be given to an organisation, even though we agree that it needs more money?

I think that my hon. Friend will agree that I have enough to do to ensure the survival of the theatre without taking on the survival of the United Kingdom as a whole.

What representations has the hon. Gentleman made to Treasury Ministers about the removal of VAT from the theatre? Does he realise that this, above all, would help to create a prospect of certainty for the theatre?

Questions about VAT are for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, but within the grant given to the Arts Council an amount has been allowed for the replacement of the VAT it has to pay.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the subsidised theatre could learn a good deal from the commercial sector, particularly about making economic use of resources? Will he do his best to bring the two together?

The relationship between the subsidised and the commercial theatre has never been better.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions he has had with local authorities about the proposals in the Queen's Speech for bringing about comprehensive education.

On 17th September I sent to the local authority associations, and the national bodies responsible for voluntary schools, a document outlining a possible form of legislation to give effect to Government policy on comprehensive reorganisation. On 10th and 13th October, my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary and I met these bodies to discuss the proposals.

If the Government are confident that comprehensive education is so universally excellent, why are there still so many local authorities which refuse to publish details of examination results in comprehensive schools? Before the Government take the drastic step of making universal comprehensive education compulsory, should they not ensure that the consequences of comprehensive schooling are submitted to public examination and debate?

I am very happy to have such debates and have already taken part in a number of them. I thought that this was the point of the debate initiated by the Opposition earlier this Session. Whether examination results are published is a matter for the authorities and schools concerned. I know of a number of authorities that do not publish results in respect of grammar schools. It works both ways.