§ 15. Mr. Peter Morrisonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is now his policy towards the introduction of a voucher system in education.
§ Mr. ArmstrongAs my right hon. Friend stated in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Gravesend (Mr. Ovenden) on 23rd January last—[Vol. 885, c. 11.]—he sees no merit in, and serious objections to, the voucher schemes which have been propounded in this country in recent years.
§ Mr. MorrisonDoes the hon. Gentleman agree that the introduction of the voucher scheme could restore parental choice? Will he give an assurance that if a local education authority introduced a pilot scheme with the voucher system he would not do anything to stop it?
§ Mr. ArmstrongThe hon. Gentleman talks about parental choice. We have to face reality, which is that up to 85 per cent. of our children will have no choice at all. The voucher system is seen by the Government as being socially divisive. On principle we are against it.
§ Mr. FlanneryDoes my hon. Friend agree that the voucher scheme is regarded throughout the education world as being anti-educational? Does he further agree that it is one more belated attempt to buy privilege by a select group of parents and children and is, therefore, to the detriment of education and children generally?
§ Mr. ArmstrongYes. I would agree with that. It would be unduly competitive as between schools. [Interruption.]Education is not to be sold across the counter like groceries. It is far more important.