The Government has left the way open to withdraw its controversial plans to provide a fast track to grant-maintained status for voluntary-aided schools.

The proposals were absent from this week’s Queen’s Speech, which contains the outline of the Government’s legislative programme, and in background briefings, the Department for Education and Employment said the timing and nature of any changes would depend on the consultation exercise that is under way.

Ministers may be reacting to the sensitivities of the churches - both the Catholic bishops and the Church of England General Synod’s board of education were due this week to express publicly their hostility to the fast track plans.

The churches are angry that their schools have been singled out as having the potential to boost the number of GM schools.

The Catholic church, in particular, is suspicious of the motives of the Government and has asked for clarification about the educational basis for the proposed changes.

Gillian Shephard, the Education and Employment Secretary, may have secured leeway to take account of overwhelming opposition. She told a governors’ meeting at the weekend that final proposals for inclusion in the Bill are unlikely to appear before the New Year.

However, the briefing given to political journalists by Brian Mawhinney, the chairman of the Conservative party, suggests that the Prime Minister is keen on a Bill that could be used as a vehicle to embarrass Labour in the run-up to the general election. Senior Tories want to exploit the support of Labour party leader, Tony Blair, and shadow cabinet member, Harriet Harman, for GM schools. Each send one of their sons to the Catholic GM London Oratory.

The fast track legislation could be added to the Bill, announced in the Queen’s Speech, that provides for GM schools to borrow against their buildings and land and also introduces vouchers for nursery education.

A second education Bill is intended to draw building societies and banks into the student loans scheme. They will be invited to bid for the right to offer subsidised private loans to students.

Education ministers are expecting a rough passage for both Bills in what is the last full parliamentary session before a general election must be called.

Problems are likely in the Lords if the Government goes ahead with plans to speed up the process for schools going GM. Right-wing factions want the Government to legislate to make all secondary schools GM, but any such measure appears to have been ruled out before the election.

David Blunkett, Labour’s education and employment spokesman, believes Mrs Shephard is attempting to sideline plans for a fast track for church schools.

“It is very interesting to see what is missing (in the Queen’s Speech). There is nothing about the coercion of church schools to opt out against the wishes of their parents,” he said.