§ 24. Mr. Greenwayasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether segregation of children according to sex into single sex schools and segregation of children according to religion into denominational schools will continue to be permissible for those parents who want their children to be taught in such schools.
§ Dr. BoysonMy right hon. and learned Friend believes that parents should enjoy as much choice as is practicable in the education of their children and that single-sex and denominational schools have important roles to play. It is for local education authorities, in co-operation with voluntary bodies, to decide the balance they wish to maintain between different types of school and where necessary for proposals to be made under sections 12 to 16 of the Education Act 1980. In reaching decisions on such proposals, my right hon. and learned Friend will take account of parental preferences.