asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education if, in view of the wide disparity in the provision of grammar school places, he will call a conference of local education authorities to secure agreement on a policy for the pooling of places, where necessary, so as to mitigate the worst effects of this lack of uniformity in the provision of grammar school places.

No, Sir. The wider differences between one area and another are being adjusted through the school building programme. Differences will, however, still remain, because authorities suit their policies to the needs of their areas.

Is the hon. Member aware that his answer will be totally unsatisfactory to many parents throughout the country who believe that a system which provides for grammar school places for one out of every two children in some parts of the country and only one place for every eight or ten children in other parts is not providing equality of opportunity for the children? Will he review the whole of his proposal?

I shall be glad to discuss this matter with the hon. Member. But all I would say now is that, in a locally administered system, uniformity would be neither possible nor desirable.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education if he will give the names of the local authorities with the highest and lowest percentages of entry to grammar schools, and the respective percentages.

I am sending the hon. Lady a table showing, for the area of each local education authority, the proportions of thirteen year old children attending various types of school in January, 1956.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I merely wanted the lowest and the highest figure? Can he give me those figures?

It would be misleading to compare one county with another on a question of this kind. When she receives the table, I think that the hon. Lady will be able to draw her own conclusions.

Miss Lee:

Do I understand that the table will be published in HANSARD, as it is of general interest?

It was not my idea that it should be published in the OFFICIAL REPORT, as the table is rather big, but I will gladly send the hon. Lady a copy.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider this again, as it is a matter of great interest? Can he publish the table in the OFFICIAL REPORT?

I will look into that, but there may be some technical difficulty about the size.

Since the hon. Gentleman's predecessor supplied me with such information two years ago and promised me the table, to which the hon. Gentleman now refers, some three months ago, may we be assured that it will be circulated? May I press the hon. Gentleman to consider again the possibility of printing this most invaluable document in HANSARD?

I am sure that my noble Friend will carefully consider the proposal that the table should be published.