HC Deb 26 February 1940 vol 357 cc1727-8
24. Mr. Ede

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education the extent to which agreement has been reached with regard to the conduct of special place examinations for entry to secondary schools in England and Wales?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education (Mr. Kenneth Lindsay)

As the hon. Member is aware local education authorities were given guidance by the Board as to the possible alternative methods of conducting these examinations for admission to secondary schools, but it was left to them to decide which method to adopt and to work out practical details in consultation. The Board are not notified of the arrangements of individual authorities, but from inquiries which I have made it appears that satisfactory agreements have been generally reached.

Mr. Ede

Will the hon. Gentleman take steps to see that, as far as possible, every child will get at least as good facilities for attending a secondary school as he or she would have had in normal circumstances?

Mr. Lindsay

Yes, I will. The percentage of free places is being maintained.