The hon. Lady is absolutely right; there are problems and difficulties with any system of education. The point is that, in Trafford, we managed to overcome those problems and get the best results in the country. The hon. Lady should be pleased about that. The rigour and transparency of selection...

The hon. Lady is absolutely right; there are problems and difficulties with any system of education. The point is that, in Trafford, we managed to overcome those problems and get the best results in the country. The hon. Lady should be pleased about that. The rigour and transparency of selection...

I am delighted that my hon. Friend on the Front Bench confirms that we will try to do so. The other matter about which I want to speak is academic selection. Sadly, the Bill is even more timid in its approach to that than it is about school choice. Selection...

I am delighted that my hon. Friend on the Front Bench confirms that we will try to do so. The other matter about which I want to speak is academic selection. Sadly, the Bill is even more timid in its approach to that than it is about school choice. Selection...

I am sorry, I did not catch that.

I am sorry, I did not catch that.

I propose to do that at the length that I am allowed by the time limit on speeches. The hon. Gentleman will not be disappointed. Some areas, such as my own borough of Trafford in Greater Manchester, took another route in respect of education at that time. Instead of scrapping...

I propose to do that at the length that I am allowed by the time limit on speeches. The hon. Gentleman will not be disappointed. Some areas, such as my own borough of Trafford in Greater Manchester, took another route in respect of education at that time. Instead of scrapping...

Like my hon. Friend the Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts), I think that the Bill is, on balance, a good thing. It is a small step in the right direction. I have several reservations about it, but in some ways the saddest aspect of the Bill is the extent to...

Like my hon. Friend the Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts), I think that the Bill is, on balance, a good thing. It is a small step in the right direction. I have several reservations about it, but in some ways the saddest aspect of the Bill is the extent to...

Westminster Hall adjournment debate on primary school redundancies.

Westminster Hall adjournment debate on primary school redundancies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, whether schools forums will be able to agree a funding baseline for the guaranteed per pupil increase which is higher than current per pupil funding.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, whether schools forums will be able to agree a funding baseline for the guaranteed per pupil increase which is higher than current per pupil funding.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to his Answer of 7th May 2003 at 404 c695W, whether he has set a date for the launch of the Teachernet emergency planning website; and what the cost has been of developing the website. - Includes fact that...

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to his Answer of 7th May 2003 at 404 c695W, whether he has set a date for the launch of the Teachernet emergency planning website; and what the cost has been of developing the website. - Includes fact that...

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will list local authorities in which spending on (a) special educational needs and (b) excluded pupils increased by a higher percentage than the individual schools budget in 2003-04, giving in each case the perentage increase for each budget...

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will list local authorities in which spending on (a) special educational needs and (b) excluded pupils increased by a higher percentage than the individual schools budget in 2003-04, giving in each case the perentage increase for each budget...

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, in what exceptional circumstances local authorities will be free to passport less than the full increase in schools formula spending share to schools.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, in what exceptional circumstances local authorities will be free to passport less than the full increase in schools formula spending share to schools.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, whether it is his policy that increases in schools formula spending share made in 2003-04 to reflect the removal of standards funds will be reversed to reflect the restoration of standards funds in 2004-05 and 2005-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, whether it is his policy that increases in schools formula spending share made in 2003-04 to reflect the removal of standards funds will be reversed to reflect the restoration of standards funds in 2004-05 and 2005-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will list (a) maintained schools and (b) local education authorities which have made representations to his Department regarding their budget for the current financial year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will list (a) maintained schools and (b) local education authorities which have made representations to his Department regarding their budget for the current financial year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what estimate he has made of the impact of increased contributions to teachers superannuation on school budgets (a) in total and (b) for each local education authority area. - Includes figures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what estimate he has made of the impact of increased contributions to teachers superannuation on school budgets (a) in total and (b) for each local education authority area. - Includes figures.

School Funding. Sixth opposition day debate (part 1). Main question negatived on division (128 to 296). Amendment agreed on division (263 to 144).

School Funding. Sixth opposition day debate (part 1). Main question negatived on division (128 to 296). Amendment agreed on division (263 to 144).

Community Services. Fifth opposition day debate. Main question negatived on division (327 to 139). Amendment agreed on division (298 to 162).

Community Services. Fifth opposition day debate. Main question negatived on division (327 to 139). Amendment agreed on division (298 to 162).

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will list the local education authority areas for which the proposed rise in the schools' block of their education formula spending share exceeds total increase in formula grant for the local authority, giving the amount of the excess...

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will list the local education authority areas for which the proposed rise in the schools' block of their education formula spending share exceeds total increase in formula grant for the local authority, giving the amount of the excess...

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what percentage of school budgets was spent on school transport in each local education authority area in the last 12 months. - Table given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what percentage of school budgets was spent on school transport in each local education authority area in the last 12 months. - Table given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many nursery centres of excellence have been designated; how many centres there are in each local education authority area; and what total additional resource has been allocated to nursery centres of excellence. - Includes figures and fact that a...

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many nursery centres of excellence have been designated; how many centres there are in each local education authority area; and what total additional resource has been allocated to nursery centres of excellence. - Includes figures and fact that a...

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what post-16 budget support grant is payable to each local education authority in England; and in each case what the category is under which the grant is payable. - Inc table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what post-16 budget support grant is payable to each local education authority in England; and in each case what the category is under which the grant is payable. - Inc table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to her Answer of 23rd April, Official Report, 384 c163-7W, on LEA funding, what the comparable figures are for each of the last five years. - Inc fact that information requested has been placed in Library (Dep 02/998).

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to her Answer of 23rd April, Official Report, 384 c163-7W, on LEA funding, what the comparable figures are for each of the last five years. - Inc fact that information requested has been placed in Library (Dep 02/998).