Primary Testing (Hansard, 6 March 1991)

§ 19. Mr. McAvoy
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representations he has had (a) in favour and (b) against primary testing.

§ Mr. Michael Forsyth
Some 400 representations have been received covering a complete spectrum of views on testing.

§ Mr. McAvoy
Is the Minister aware that throughout Scotland, where parents have been balloted, an overwhelming number of decisions have been made against the tests? In my constituency, in the schools of St. Mark's, St. Columbkilles Hallside and St. Bride's, 70 to 80 per cent. of parents are opposed to the tests. It is clear that those tests are part of the Minister's promised bloody revolution for education in Scotland. Even at this late stage, will he consider withdrawing the tests and seeking consensus for the sake of our children's future?

§ Mr. Forsyth
The regulations on testing were approved by the House without opposition in debate from any Opposition Member. They place a clear duty on education authorities to administer the tests and——

§ Mr. Worthington
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.

§ Mr. Speaker
It is the last two minutes.

§ Mr. Worthington
We prayed against the regulations on 26 October, they appeared on 25 October and we demanded a debate on them.

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. I am not responsible for answers given from the Dispatch Box.

§ Mr. Forsyth
The point——

Hon. Members
Withdraw.

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. This is unseemly behaviour.

§ Mr. Forsyth
The point that I made—that the regulations were not opposed in debate in the House—is correct. They place a clear duty on the education authorities to administer the test. Until now, the Labour party and the EIS have argued that parental choice and involvement should not extend to the curriculum and to professional matters. Their conversion is as rapid as it is unexpected. I have no doubt that, having released this genie from the bottle, education authorities will be reflecting on the implications. Are parents to be able to withdraw children from physical education, music, computer studies and the technical and vocational education initiative, for example, or to insist on the inclusion of their children in classes on a subject? Once the pilot testing round has been completed, we shall consider what further action is necessary.