§ 4. Mr. MillerTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to make provision for severely disabled children following the closure of Deeside school. [33199]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Employment (Mr. James Paice)In considering Cheshire's proposal to close Deeside school, one of the factors that my right hon. Friend took into account was the availability of places at suitable alternative schools.
§ Mr. MillerDoes the Minister agree that a civilised society is one that looks after those in greatest need? As he was a party to the barmy decision to close Deeside school, will he now condemn Cheshire county council, which is continuing to break the law by failing to provide full and up-to-date statements for children from that school?
§ Mr. PaiceIf the hon. Gentleman believes that any local education authority is breaking the law, he should draw his allegations properly to the attention of my right hon. Friend. There are a whole range of reasons why 324 Cheshire LEA proposed the school's closure and my right hon. Friend took them all into account—not least the fact that the cost per pupil place at the school is almost double the cost per pupil place at the average special needs school in the same LEA area.