Special Educational Needs

HC Deb 10 December 1997 vol 302 cc551-2W

Mr. Casale

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when the 1996–97 annual report of the President of the Special Educational Needs Tribunal will be published; and if he will make a statement. [20567]

Ms Estelle Morris

The report has been published today and copies have been placed in the Library.

I welcome the report. It demonstrates that the SEN Tribunal has achieved a great deal over the last year and has continued to meet and improve upon its targets for dealing with appeals.

The Tribunal provides a valuable and independent mechanism for considering appeals. It is to the credit of all those working for the Tribunal—the President, members and staff—that it has gained a reputation for fairness and impartiality, whilst also ensuring that its hearings are as informal as possible.

A great deal has been achieved over the three year life of the Tribunal and I am confident that it will continue to build on its excellent record.