§ 2. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many local education authorities operate selection procedures; how many different kinds of selection are used; and by what means parents are informed of what is being assessed by these methods.
§ Miss BaconThe next selection tests are likely to be confined to the whole or part of the areas of 114 local education authorities, but this number will continue to decrease as approval plans for secondary reorganisation are implemented. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a report on "Trends in Allocation Procedures" prepared by the National Foundation for Educational Research, which provides useful information in reply to the latter part of her Question.
§ Mrs. ShortI am obliged to my right hon. Friend for that reply. Does not the report indicate that there is a large variety of selection procedures, so that it is not suprising that parents should be very concerned indeed about this matter? Does not this difficulty result from having so many different types of secondary school? Is not the answer to abolish selection tests and have comprehensive education as soon as possible?
§ Miss BaconYes, Sir. I agree with my hon. Friend very much indeed. There is a great deal of dissatisfaction among parents in areas where selection tests, or selection of any kind, still exist and the only real solution to the problem is to have a system of comprehensive education which does away with such tests alto-gether.
§ Mr. LaneIn view of the efforts which many authorities are making to get rid of the dubious features of the 11-plus, cannot the Government try to take a more balanced view of this problem of selection?
§ Miss BaconWe are taking a very good and balanced view of the matter; that is, we are trying to abolish selection wherever it exists.