§ 13. Mr. HaselhurstTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from rural areas about open enrolment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. RumboldA number of the responses to the Department's consultation document, "Admission of Pupils to Maintained Schools", and some of the letters received from groups and individuals, have raised issues relating to education in rural areas.
§ Mr. HaselhurstCan my hon. Friend offer an assurance to parents living in a village which has a popular school that their child will be able to go to that school, even though it may attract pupils from other parts of the district?
§ Mrs. RumboldThe criteria for admission to schools will remain very much as they are at present. That is to say, they will relate to where the children live, whether there are brothers and sisters in that school, and the distances to be travelled, so I think I can offer my hon. Friend the assurance he requires.