HC Deb 01 December 1955 vol 546 cc240-1W
102. Mr. Janner

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware that the new scheme being adopted by some councils for selecting children for grammar and technical schools may result in technical schools being regarded as a receptacle for children with second-best brains; and whether he will circularise local education authorities urging them to ensure that selections are made having regard to the aptitude of the child rather than to the power to assimilate a grammar school education.

Mr. Vosper

No. My right hon. Friend knows of no such new scheme, and would join the hon. Member in deploring any such result. He does not think that a circular such as the hon. Member suggests is needed.

110. Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenport

asked the Minister of Education to state the number of children who were accepted during the last year as probably profiting from grammar school education, but for whom a place could not be found; whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction and disappointment of the parents of such children; and whether such children are ever given a place in a grammar school should a vacancy occur without recourse to further tests or examinations.

Mr. Vosper

The practice to which my hon. Friend refers is obviously liable to lead to disappointment. I do not think that it is at all widely followed, but precise information for answering the first and third parts of the Question is not available.