It is a great pleasure to have this opportunity to participate in this important debate, which has so far been excellent, with colleagues on both sides of the House making points that are focused on the important task of raising standards and extending opportunity without too much ideology and dogma...

It is a great pleasure to have this opportunity to participate in this important debate, which has so far been excellent, with colleagues on both sides of the House making points that are focused on the important task of raising standards and extending opportunity without too much ideology and dogma...

I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.

I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.

Absolutely. The right hon. Gentleman is entirely correct. No new selective schools would be created under the new clause. The country would have the same schools that it has at the moment, but those schools would be able to accept people regardless of parental means and the ability to pay....

Absolutely. The right hon. Gentleman is entirely correct. No new selective schools would be created under the new clause. The country would have the same schools that it has at the moment, but those schools would be able to accept people regardless of parental means and the ability to pay....

I happily give way to my hon. Friend, the Chairman of the Select Committee.

I happily give way to my hon. Friend, the Chairman of the Select Committee.

I am grateful to the Chairman of the Select Committee for his support. As he said, the new clause would simply remove an obstacle that stands in the way of the noble ambition of some excellent schools that are deeply committed to educating children of whatever means. Many schools can...

I am grateful to the Chairman of the Select Committee for his support. As he said, the new clause would simply remove an obstacle that stands in the way of the noble ambition of some excellent schools that are deeply committed to educating children of whatever means. Many schools can...

I would hate good people involved in education to waste their time, so I want to be clear about whether it is worth good independent selective schools having the conversations that the Minister has generously offered with himself and the Secretary of State. Do they have open minds on whether...

I would hate good people involved in education to waste their time, so I want to be clear about whether it is worth good independent selective schools having the conversations that the Minister has generously offered with himself and the Secretary of State. Do they have open minds on whether...

I shall not detain the House for long. New clause 2 was a modest but practical measure that would have extended opportunities to children of limited means. I am disappointed that my hon. Friend the Minister feels unable to give it stronger support, but I also hope that the other...

I shall not detain the House for long. New clause 2 was a modest but practical measure that would have extended opportunities to children of limited means. I am disappointed that my hon. Friend the Minister feels unable to give it stronger support, but I also hope that the other...

I assure my hon. Friend that I will continue to argue the case in a principled way if I can. I take it from his remarks that there is no principled objection to the existence of selective academies, because several of the new academies are selective schools, and no principled...

I assure my hon. Friend that I will continue to argue the case in a principled way if I can. I take it from his remarks that there is no principled objection to the existence of selective academies, because several of the new academies are selective schools, and no principled...

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...

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the average per pupil funding for (a) primary, (b) secondary and (c) special schools was in each Excellence in Cities area for (i) 2002-03 and (ii) 2003-04. (Tables in Library Dep 03/2305). - (Holding answer 21 October 2003).

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the average per pupil funding for (a) primary, (b) secondary and (c) special schools was in each Excellence in Cities area for (i) 2002-03 and (ii) 2003-04. (Tables in Library Dep 03/2305). - (Holding answer 21 October 2003).

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what plans he has to reassess the provision for fieldwork within the curriculum for science (a) GCSE and (b) A-level; and if he will make a statement; what assessment he has made of the resource implications that would arise if...

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what plans he has to reassess the provision for fieldwork within the curriculum for science (a) GCSE and (b) A-level; and if he will make a statement; what assessment he has made of the resource implications that would arise if...

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, what organisations delivering and resourcing personal, social and health education in secondary schools receive funding from central Government sources; and how much was given to each in the last year for which figures are available. - Includes figures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what organisations delivering and resourcing personal, social and health education in secondary schools receive funding from central Government sources; and how much was given to each in the last year for which figures are available. - Includes figures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what additional resources will be provided under her Department's new strategy for London schools, broken down by (a) proposed end use and (b) financial year in which it will be spent. - Inc figures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what additional resources will be provided under her Department's new strategy for London schools, broken down by (a) proposed end use and (b) financial year in which it will be spent. - Inc figures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, which (a) secondary schools in England and (b) local education authorities have received New Opportunities Fund payments to improve sport and physical education facilities; and what the total amount was in each case. - Including tables.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, which (a) secondary schools in England and (b) local education authorities have received New Opportunities Fund payments to improve sport and physical education facilities; and what the total amount was in each case. - Including tables.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the average cost is of a place in a maintained school for a secondary pupil between the ages of 11 and 16 years, including (a) the average spending per pupil needed to provide, maintain and equip school buildings and...

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the average cost is of a place in a maintained school for a secondary pupil between the ages of 11 and 16 years, including (a) the average spending per pupil needed to provide, maintain and equip school buildings and...