§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the most accurate assessment she can make of(a) the number of parents who secure for their children their first choice of nursery, primary and secondary schools and (b) the satisfaction of parents about the current systems for choosing nursery, primary and secondary schools.
§ Mr. Robin SquireThis information is not collected centrally. The most recent evidence —from surveys commissioned by the Association of Metropolitan Authorities in 1992 andThe Times newspaper in 1993—shows that some 90 per cent. of parents gain a place for their child at their first choice of school. Circular 6/93 stressed that schools' admission arrangements should be clear and objective, and gave parents a clear indication of their chances of gaining a place for their child at a particular school.