§ 9. Mr. K. Lindsayasked the Minister of Education whether his regulations permit a parent, residing in an area covered by a comprehensive school to allow his son to sit for the examination to a local grammar school.
§ Mr. TomlinsonI have made no regulations in this matter, which is primarily one for the local education authority.
§ Mr. LindsayIs my right hon. Friend aware that the answer given to a parent was, "It will not be necessary for your child to take the examination"; that this means that a child of poor parents is prevented from getting the opportunity of going to a university while a child attending an independent school has no such handicap put in his way; and that this is not equality of opportunity for the children of this country?
§ Mr. TomlinsonNo question of the opportunity of going to a university arises at this stage. The education authorities have indicated that, in certain circumstances, and in relation to certain individuals, they are prepared to make exceptions.
§ Mr. LindsayDoes not my right hon. Friend realise that if the child does not have the opportunity of going to a grammar school, and does not take a foreign language until the age of 16, its chances of getting to a university are very small indeed? This is a very serious question.