Oral Answers to Questions — Education – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 4 July 1963.
Mr Alan Fitch
, Wigan
12:00,
4 July 1963
asked the Minister of Education how many local education authorities in England and Wales still retain the eleven-plus system of examination.
Sir Edward Boyle
, Birmingham Handsworth
Many local education authorities are experimenting with new selection arrangements, some of which rely more on teachers' assessments and less on formal tests, but so far as I am aware only the Anglesey authority does not operate a system of secondary school selection.
Mr Alan Fitch
, Wigan
Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the 11-plus system of examination is satisfactory? Would he consider advising local education authorities to try the comprehensive system?
Sir Edward Boyle
, Birmingham Handsworth
We must distinguish between the 11-plus examination and selection procedures and the pattern of secondary school organisation. These are not the same thing. I hope to have something to say on this subject tomorrow when I address the Association of Education Committees. I should get into trouble with the right hon. Member for Easington (Mr. Shinwell) if I attempted to give my views on these two subjects at Question Time.
Mr Frederick Willey
, Sunderland North
Before the right hon. Gentleman makes his statement tomorrow, will he appreciate that the next Government will abolish the 11-plus examination? In view of this, is it not time that he took preparatory action?
Sir Edward Boyle
, Birmingham Handsworth
This is exactly the point I am on, because the statement of the party opposite, that it is to abolish the 11-plus, was slightly weakened by the statement of the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition, that any grammar school would be closed over his dead body.
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