asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why schools have been allowed to introduce entrance examinations of ability as a condition for gaining an assisted place at some participating schools.

I am not aware that any participating school has introduced an entrance examination specifically for the purpose of selecting pupils for assisted places. Applicants for assisted places may be asked to take an examination as part of that school's normal admission arrangements but they do so on the same terms as other applicants for admission who are not seeking assisted places.