HC Deb 20 December 1983 vol 51 c265
15. Mr. Tracey

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many proposals under section 15 of the Education Act 1980 he has received; how many he has approved; and how many he has rejected.

Mr. Dunn

Since the 1980 Act came into effect, 103 section 15 proposals have been published but five were subsequently withdrawn by the proposers. My right hon. Friend and his predecessor have approved 33 and rejected four such proposals, and approved part and rejected part of one further proposal. In the absence of any statutory objections, local education authorities have determined to implement a further 33 such proposals. Twenty-seven section 15 proposals are still current.

Mr. Tracey

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that answer. However, is he aware that some education authorities are artificially reducing the intake of some popular schools, thus acting against parental preference? Will he take steps to prevent such artificial reductions, as it is contrary to the spirit of the 1980 Act to limit the intake of popular schools below their physical capacity?

Mr. Dunn

My hon. Friend is quite right. Some local education authorities are abusing the spirit of section 15 of the Act. I am concerned about that abuse, and I can assure the House that the matter is under review.

Mr. Radice

The record of the Tory Government since 1979 in closing down a quarter of the grammar schools is now nearly as good as the record of the Prime Minister, when the right hon. Lady was Secretary of State. She closed down a third of all the grammar schools. Why cannot the Government admit that most parents — including Conservative parents in Richmond and Solihull — reject the 11-plus, reject selection, and reject grammar schools and secondary moderns?

Mr. Dunn

The hon. Gentleman is making a bogus point and attempting to cover up the difference between the Government and the Opposition, which is that we would allow local education authorities the right to decide the nature and variety of secondary education organisation in their communities. In 1976 the Labour Government took away that right, with the support of the Liberal party.