§ 13. Mrs. Rumboldasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the operation of the appeals system as outlined in the Education Act 1980.
§ Mr. DunnThe local appeal process provides a valuable opportunity for the local resolution of school admission decisions at which parents are aggrieved. That there were about 10,000 appeals lodged in 1982, of which some 3,500 were decided in parents' favour, indicates that the arrangements are satisfactorily fulfilling their purpose.
§ Mrs. RumboldDoes my hon. Friend agree with me that, although the appeals system is fundamentally working well, there is a possibility that it can be the creature of the local education authorities that set it up? Is he planning to take any steps to ensure further independence in the cause of greater parental choice?
§ Mr. DunnMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no plans to do so. He has no power to consider complaints about the conduct of independent appeal committees. These committees are subject to the general supervision of the Council on Tribunals. Individual cases of maladministration may be referred to the Commissioner for Local Administration.