§ Sir Thomas ArnoldTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to extend parental choice in the allocation of school places.
§ Mr. Alan HowarthAs a result of the Education Act 1980, the great majority of parents already get the school they want for their child. The more open enrolment provisions of the Education Reform Act will further increase parental choice by securing that schools must admit pupils on demand up to the limit of their physical capacity. These provisions take effect in secondary schools in September this year. No decision has yet been taken on when more open enrolment should be extended to primary schools; the issue is currently under consideration in the Department.