§ 22. Mr. Armstrongasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of children in maintained schools is subject to selection procedure for secondary education at 11-plus; and what proposals she has for abolishing such procedure.
§ Mrs. ThatcherThe Department collects statistics about the number of children in different types of school, but it has never collected statistics about children subject to selection procedure. The answer to the second part of the Question is, "None, Sir".
§ Mr. ArmstrongIs the right hon. Lady aware that in many local authorities selection at the age of 11 is still being made, which is in direct contradiction to the statement in the Conservative Party manifesto at the last election that the age of 11 was much too early to make decisions about children's future? As it is true that a great number of children are still being selected or rejected at the age of 11 and are having to write themselves off far below their potential, will the right hon. Lady accept some responsibility as the Minister in getting ahead with abolishing this iniquitous procedure, instead of putting everything on to the local authorities?
§ Mrs. ThatcherThe age of 11 is too early to make a final decision about any child's future, and so is any school age. Whatever the age at which a child's potential appears, full provision must be made for drawing it out and giving the child the very best education possible.