HC Deb 21 June 1988 vol 135 cc962-3
9. Mr. Tim Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he plans to introduce open enrolment in schools.

Mr. Dunn

From September 1990 all secondary schools will have to be prepared to admit as many pupils as they can accommodate. Many admissions authorities should be ready to respond to parental demand before that date and we shall give them every encouragement to do so.

Mr. Smith

Is my hon. Friend aware that this policy of open enrolment in schools has been widely welcomed by parents in south Buckinghamshire because of the increased choice that it will give them? Will my hon. Friend do all that he can to ensure that there is no slippage in this programme? Could it not be brought forward to 1989?

Mr. Dunn

We considered the question of timing during our deliberations, especially in Committee. It is clear to us that this policy can be adopted by schools and local authorities now. Many local authorities follow a policy of open enrolment, much to the satisfaction of parents in the communities that they serve. Because we recogniseed that open enrolment would pose an administrative problem and place further demands upon local education authorities and governors, we decided to introduce it from September 1990.