THE Labour Government that had, as its pre-election priority, "Education, Education, Education," is seeking to destroy our system of grammar school education.

It seems to me to be beyond belief that a government that espouses higher education standards should be promoting the dismantling of some of this country's finest schools. Once again we have Labour committing itself to dogmatic social engineering.

What is wrong with providing educational establishments that meet youngsters' abilities? The answer, of course, is absolutely nothing. Throughout life we take on jobs and carry out activities that are within our capabilities. Many people wish in later life to improve themselves in one way or another, and quite rightly so. The Open University is a prime example of facilitating this ambition.

Why, then, deny children with a high ability the opportunity to improve themselves at a time when they are neither aware of their ability nor the opportunities that are open to them?

New Labour is now following the doctrine of Old Labour egalitarianism. This whole process of killing off a fine and excellent system of education will be no more than the presentation of a petition signed by 20 per cent of eligible parents. One might, at first, think that this is a laudable democratic method to use, except that parents of grammar school children cannot vote. It is bizarre, undemocratic and unfair that - by law - the governors of a grammar school cannot publish material in support of grammar schools.

I do not wish, in any way, to denigrate the effectiveness of our high schools, but I do firmly believe that the provision of grammar school education has been, is now and will always be the best and most productive way of bringing on children with above average abilities. Labour has even abolished the Assisted Places scheme that enabled high ability children from poorer backgrounds to receive free or grant-aided grammar school education.

And this hypocrisy is compounded locally.

Bury Grammar Schools' governing body contains two representatives appointed by Bury Metropolitan Borough Council. In May of this year I suggested that, due to the Labour Party's objection to grammar schools, two Conservative councillors should be appointed - that is, two councillors who would be committed to supporting the work of the governing body.

Neither the Labour leadership nor the Liberal Democrat leadership would support my nomination, and insisted that a Labour councillor should be appointed. What gross hypocrisy!

COUNCILLOR D. M. HIGGIN,

leader of the Conservative Group.

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