§ Mr. ByersTo ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) how many formal complaints he has received from parents alleging misconduct by a local education authority during the holding of a parental ballot on grant-maintained status;
(2) how many formal complaints he has received alleging misconduct by a headteacher or governing body during the holding of a parental ballot on grant-maintained status.
§ Mr. ForthThis information is not available centrally. Complaints about misconduct during GM ballots are received in various quarters. Some are made to the local authority, some to the school, some to us at the Department and some to the grant-maintained schools centre. My right hon. Friend has made clear that any complaints made to the Department will receive full consideration and, where necessary, he will call for a report from the local authority concerned.