HC Deb 13 February 1958 vol 582 cc551-2
19. Mr. Swingler

asked the Minister of Education if he will set up a committee to study ways and means of abolishing the competitive examination for entry to secondary grammar schools and of securing more equal opportunities for the secondary school children of the country.

Sir E. Boyle

No, Sir.

Mr. Swingler

Why not? Will the hon. Gentleman give the reason?

Sir E. Boyle

Because it is the duty of every education authority to organise secondary education in its area in such a way as to secure the variety of instruction and training required under the 1944 Act.

Mr. Swingler

Does not that confirm the point that it would be a good step on the part of the Minister to assist local education authorities to abolish an examination against which there is widespread opposition, about which there is great dissatisfaction, and which denies to children the equality of opportunity that should be offered to them? Would not the hon. Gentleman assist the authorities by setting up a committee to advise them on the best way of providing that opportunity?

Sir E. Boyle

It is absolutely right that experiments of this type, should take place, but I ask the hon. Member to bear in mind that, as our system of secondary education becomes better, selection must play a bigger part, because children differ in their abilities and aptitudes.

Mr. M. Stewart

Will the hon. Gentleman look at this matter again? Selection is one thing, but to put children in different types of schools and courses on the basis of a presumed judgment of abilities at the age of eleven years is not selection but the enemy of proper selection of a child for the course of instruction which is most likely to help it. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a growing feeling on this matter and that a serious inquiry into it would be generally helpful?

Sir E. Boyle

I am very glad to hear the hon. Member's tribute to selection in principle, but, as he knows, nobody could say that experiments with comprehensive and bilateral schools are not being tried out fairly at present in quite a large number of areas.