§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to encourage local education authorities to introduce an element of selection in their secondary education establishments; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DunnLocal education authorities already have the freedom, which we restored to them in the Education Act 1979, to propose patterns of secondary school organisation which include an elememt of selection, and circular 4/82 makes it clear that, in my right hon. Friend's view, no one pattern of secondary education has in itself, overriding advantages or disadvatages, of principle.
It is, however, for authorities themselves, in consultation with the governors of voluntary aided and special agreement schools, to take a view on the pattern of secondary education best suited to local circumstances and the preferences of parents. If an authority publishes proposals to re-introduce selective secondary education, my right hon. Friend will decide them on their merits and in the light of all the circumstances of the case.