§ Mr. G. Thomasasked the Minister of Education (1) the number of children in England and Wales who competed this year for entrance into secondary grammar schools; the number of places available; and what action she proposes to take to provide adequate secondary education for those who pass the examination but for whom there is no room in the grammar schools;
(2) the number of Cardiff children who sat the entrance examination for secondary grammar schools this year; the number of places she expects to have available in these schools for the competitors; and the number of children who will be denied secondary grammar education although they attain more than 50 per cent, of the marks available.
§ Miss HorsbrughI could not give the figures asked for by the hon. Member unless I asked local education authorities specially for them. The purpose of these examinations is not to establish whether a child can achieve a pre-determined national or local standard but to help the local education authority to provide the children with the secondary education best suited to their age, ability and aptitude, in the light of the various secondary courses available in the authority's area. I shall continue to encourage them to provide the new secondary school places needed for the increasing number of children, including grammar school places where appropriate, and also to develop a variety of courses within schools of the different types.