HC Deb 28 July 1966 vol 732 c1872
12. Mr. Ridsdale

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why, when vacancies exist, some parents are being prevented in North-East Essex from sending their children to schools of their choice, as is their right under Part IV, paragraph 76 of the Education Act, 1944.

Mr. Crosland

My hon. Friend the Minister of State has written to the hon. Member and explained that this does not state the position accurately.

Mr. Ridsdale

If I can provide the Minister with evidence to show that there are places available and that it is not an effective instruction, will he look at it again, because I have reason to believe that this is so?

Mr. Crosland

If the hon. Gentleman provides some evidence, I shall be happy to look at it. From inquiries that I have made of the local authority, it appears that there are no vacancies here. This is the age-old problem of more children wanting to go to a school than can be accommodated in it.

Mr. Arnold Shaw

Will my right hon. Friend not agree that under the tripartite system the whole idea of parental choice is simply nonsense?