asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the research results available to him in deciding on the need for the assisted places scheme.

The decision to establish the assisted places scheme was based upon the Government's belief in extending the range of opportunity available to very able children from less well-off homes. The recently published survey by Her Majesty's inspectors, "Aspects of Secondary Education in England", confirms that the needs of some academically able children are not always fully provided for by the schools they at present attend.