HC Deb 23 May 1975 vol 892 c644W
Mr. Aitken

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether Church-aided schools will be allowed to retain their powers of selection under his plans to extend the comprehensive system.

Mr. Armstrong

The arrangements for admission of pupils to a voluntary aided school are a matter for the governors and the local education authority in accordance with the school's articles of government; they may provide for admission on any basis which is reasonable and, in particular, compatible with the character of the school. Arrangements for admission based wholly or partly on selection by reference to ability or aptitude would not be compatible with the character of a comprehensive school.