Schools (Overcrowding) (Hansard, 19 July 1988)

§ Mr. Galbraith
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representations he has had concerning overcrowding in schools due to placement requests; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Michael Forsyth
Since the beginning of this year I have received six representations concerning overcrowding in schools due to placement requests.

§ Mr. Galbraith
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider giving additional powers to parents within a catchment area to refuse placement requests which lead to overcrowding; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Michael Forsyth
The power to deal with placing requests resides with education authorities. I refer the hon. Member to my reply today to his further question on this subject.

§ Mr. Galbraith
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to prevent overcrowding in schools due to placement requests for pupils outside the schools' catchment area.

§ Mr. Michael Forsyth
No. The law provides that a placing request may be refused if granting it would be seriously detrimental to the educational well-being of the pupils in the school concerned.