Schools minister Jacqui Smith said that plans to publish a new code hadbeen indefinitely postponed so that ministers could "reflect further" onthe issue.
Last month's decision prompted speculation that ministers will introducea statutory admissions code, rather than continue the existing one thatschools only need to "have regard" to.
Critics of the current arrangements believe that a statutory code is theonly way to stop rogue state schools from covertly selectingmiddle-class children. But ministers insisted the plans to delay thechanges were separate from any discussion of the white paper.
At his final press conference of the year Prime Minister Tony Blairfaced a series of questions about the mounting opposition within LabourParty ranks to the white paper. He told journalists the reforms wouldgive local education authorities a stronger ability to intervene whenschools are failing and said the plans would not bring backselection.
Blair also said he had met the leaders of Labour Party controlled localauthorities about the proposals. "I thought they were on the wholeextremely constructive about it and some people feel differently oncethey have read it than they did beforehand," he said.
However Labour-run Derby City Council has publicly attacked the whitepaper warning that it would jeopardise the quality of education in thecity.
