HC Deb 15 July 1974 vol 877 c38W
Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will recommend a Royal Commission to examine the secondary education system in England and Wales with a view to introducing legislation to update the Education Act 1944.

Mr. Armstrong

No.

Sir Frederic Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if it is his policy to provide for a referendum on the issue of whether Great Britain is to have a fully comprehensive system of education or permit some continuing choice of education of their children by parents; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Prentice

It is not my policy to provide for a referendum on the issue of whether there is to be a fully comprehensive system of secondary education. The Government's intention of developing such a system has already been made known. I do not accept that this implies a denial of parental choice.