Assisted Places Scheme (Hansard, 15 May 1984)

§ 10. Mr. Flannery
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools are now taking part in the assisted places scheme; and how many have approximately 5 per cent., 10 per cent., 30 per cent. and 40 per cent., respectively, of their pupils from this scheme.

§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Mr. Bob Dunn)
Looking at the current position in the 223 English schools participating in the assisted places scheme, 40 schools have fewer than 5 per cent. assisted pupils, 80 have between 5 and 10 per cent., 93 have between 10 and 20 per cent., and the remaining 10 schools have between 20 and 30 per cent.

§ Mr. Flannery
Is this not a surprising outcome in view of the fact that most people think that there may be one or two pupils in these schools on taxpayers' money? Is this not shoring up private schools and putting at a disadvantage ordinary schools? Is it not absolutely disgraceful that public money, which should be used to provide for ordinary children, is being used in these schools at a time when more and more cuts are being made in the rest of the education system?

§ Mr. Dunn
The hon. Gentleman's hostility to the scheme is well known. The scheme was designed to give children from disadvantaged and poor homes an education which they would not normally receive. To that extent the scheme has been completely successful.

§ Mr. Dorrell
Will my hon. Friend look for all opportunities to increase the funds available for the assisted places scheme, to ensure that the doors of the schools that were put into the private sector by the Labour party continue to be open so that opportunities are still available to the children of parents who cannot afford to pay the full fees imposed by the Labour party?

§ Mr. Dunn
I agree entirely with my hon. Friend's sentiments. Financial constraints appear to rule out any significant enlargement of the scheme, but the matter will be kept under review.

§ Mr. Hardy
Does the Minister consider that there is any justification for the generalisation that the poorer the quality of the private school the higher the number of assisted places arranged within it?

§ Mr. Dunn
I do not accept that for a moment. All that I can say to the House in all truth is that in the 1983–84 school year 40 per cent. of assisted places attracted full fee remission. I am proud of that.

§ Mr. Greenway
In their attacks on the scheme, do not Labour, Liberal and SDP Members put the interests of poor children and education right out of the door? Is it not time that they put the interests of deprived children and their chances in life above all things?

§ Mr. Dunn
My hon. Friend is entirely right to draw to the attention of the House the fact that there is no difference between Liberal, SDP and Labour Members on educational matters. They are hostile to helping disadvantaged pupils and we must continue to draw attention to that at every opportunity.