§ 17. Mr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many pupils were considered for selection for secondary education in the Saddleworth Education Division of the West Riding in each of the last five years; and how many children were given selective secondary places in each of the five years.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeThe Department does not collect detailed information of this kind.
§ Mr. ClarkI am rather surprised to hear this, because the Minister gave me comparable figures for the next education district. Would he not accept that this is just the West Riding Education Committee hiding under a cloud of secrecy to cover up its own deficiencies?
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeNo, I think that it is not doing that. It assures me that it would be happy to correspond or discuss the matter with the hon. Gentleman if he so wishes.
§ Mr. ClarkOn a point of order. Because of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I wish to notify you, Mr. Speaker, that I intend to raise the matter on the Adjournment as early as possible.