HC Deb 24 January 1962 vol 652 cc179-80
9. Mr. Woodburn

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he proposes to take to give effect to the Report of the Special Committee on the Transfer from Primary to Secondary Education; and whether he will now advise education authorities to provide secondary education to the extent of every child's ability without dividing the school population into the two groups of senior and junior secondary schools.

Mr. Brooman-White

My right hon. Friend expects to make a statement about the Advisory Council's recom mendations generally when he has considered them further in the light of the comments which he is awaiting from the various educational interests.

Mr. Woodburn

Is it the case that advanced education authorities in Scotland have now abolished all this distinction and hurdle of what is called the 11-plus and are now free to allow children to go forward to the extent of their capacity? Is their any barrier to prevent a child from taking secondary education if the parents so desire?

Mr. Brooman-White

That is a very generalised point, and it would be unwise for me to answer it until we have a considered statement on the issue when the Advisory Council's recommendations and the comments thereon have been studied.

Mr. Woodburn

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in certain fee-paying schools children who enter at the preparatory stage can go right through to the secondary stage without any examination or hurdle whatsoever? What is to prevent that happening in all the schools of Scotland?

Mr. Brooman-White

I am aware of that point, but I do not think that I should make any statement until a considered opinion has been given on the report as a whole.

Miss Herbison

How soon can we expect a statement from the Secretary of State on this matter? Will it be ready in time for educational authorities to make their plans for the next move forward to secondary schools? Is the Minister aware of the very strong feeling in Scotland that those who go to junior secondary schools are bearing the main brunt of uncertificated teachers?

Mr. Brooman-White

As I have said, my right hon. Friend has not yet had the comments of the educational bodies. Therefore, he can give no assurance, but he hopes to be in a position to make a statement in the next month.