HC Deb 04 March 1986 vol 93 c115W
78. Mr. Chope

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will take steps to ensure that popular schools in the state sector are free to expand.

Mr. Dunn

There are no statutory constraints on expanding popular schools, except to the extent that this might involve the significant enlargement of the premises, or an intention substantially to reduce admissions at another school, either of which would require the procedures set down in sections 12 to 15 of the Education Act 1980 to be followed. Expansion of popular schools may not necessarily be consistent with the efficient use of limited resources, but, with that proviso, the Government would welcome measures to allow for the greater satisfaction of parental preferences.