Examination of Witnesses (Questions 120-122)
DR. PHILIP
HUNTER CBE
16 JANUARY 2008
Q120 Chairman: If the pan-London
co-operation is going so well, why is Hammersmith and Fulham in
the situation that it is, with its vast influx and outflux?
Dr. Hunter: That is the result
of its going so well; it is the result of parental choice. It
was always like that in Hammersmith and Fulham; it was always
like that in many of the London boroughs. The schools in inner
London were not planned to fit the present boroughs at all. A
lot of them were on the borders, and a lot of them were over the
borders of the areas that they serve because, for 100 years, it
was the ILEA that set those things up. Nothing is going to change
that. That is why, in London, in 10 or 15 years' time—or
at some time or other—there is going to be some arrangement
that leads to better co-ordination of planning across the London
boroughs.
Q121 Chairman: So reflecting on what
has happened in recent times, you are obviously encouraged by
the changes in the code in terms of your ability to intervene.
If you were going to make any other changes that would produce
a better outcome for education for young people in our country
what would they be?
Dr. Hunter: My personal view is
to give some powers back to local authorities and to make sure
that they are big enough to be able to accept those powers.
Q122 Chairman: You are a democrat?
Dr. Hunter: I am.
Chairman: That is a dangerous thing to
be these days. Dr. Hunter, thank you very much for your evidence.
It is a pleasure to see you. In case we do not see you again,
may I tell you what a big difference you have made to this Committee?
In giving us your evidence, you have also made a big difference
to what goes on in the rest of the country. Thank you very much
for everything that you have done for us.
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