Clause 2 - Duties in relation to diversity and choice
Education and Inspections Bill
5:15 pm
Greg Mulholland (Shadow Minister (Schools), Education & Skills; Leeds North West, Liberal Democrat)
As the hon. Gentleman knows, there are provisions in the Bill that deal with transport to schools, and we shall debate such issues when we get to them. However, the answer to his question is no. Of course we are not saying that everyone has to go to the school that is nearest to them: that would be ridiculous and would give people no choice. We do not think that. We support parents having a range of schools to choose from in an area, but that must not become a licence for the best schools to expand with no limit and to the detriment of the other schools. The evidence from the Audit Commission and from Sweden shows the danger that such a process will be socially exclusive. I simply ask the Minister to consider the amendments in the spirit in which they are proposed. I ask her to consider the issues, and I look forward to her response.