§ Mr. Ryderasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will list measures to encourage competition being considered by his Department.
§ Mr. BrookeAlthough it has a few direct powers in this area, the Department seeks to encourage competition wherever practicable within the various sectors of the education service. Increasingly, local education authorities are introducing elements of competition into their arrangements for the cleaning of educational premises and for school meals. The new arrangements for school admissions and the assisted places scheme introduced by the Education Act 1980 have led to increased parental choice and competition between schools; and it is my right hon. Friends' intention that the new system of examinations at 16-plus should present
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