§ Mr. SutcliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what factors led her not to intervene in the case of Mr. Michael Johnson's appearance before the industrial tribunal on 23 May; what factors underlay her delay in intervening in the case under the terms of the Education Act 1944 and the Education Reform Act 1988; when she expects to intervene in this case; and what factors allowed her to intervene in the case of Jennifer Watson under this legislation. [39146]
§ Mr. Robin SquireIt is not my right hon. Friend's practice to seek to usurp the functions of industrial tribunals through the exercise of her powers under 621W sections 68 and 99 of the Education Act 1944. My right hon. Friend is still considering certain points of law in the case of Mr. Johnson and hopes to conclude her consideration in the near future. In the case of Mrs. Watson, my right hon. Friend concluded that the appointment of a particular governor to the disciplinary panel constituted a breach of natural justice of a kind that no sensible governing body acting with due appreciation of its statutory duties could have decided to adopt.