§ Mr. Whiteheadasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many complaints have been made to him by parents' groups that expenditure cuts by their local education authorities have brought them in breach of the Education Act 1944 and inviting his intervention; and what response he has made.
§ Mr. Mark CarlisleRecords of letters from parents and others are not kept in a form which would enable a full answer to be given to the first part of the hon. Member's question except at disproportionate cost. Currently I am 459W considering a complaint from a group of parents relating to the expenditure policies of Northamptonshire local education authority which asks me to take action under the Education Act 1944. While I possess certain powers under section 99, I can exercise those powers only if I am satisfied that an authority is in default of a relevant statutory duty. I could only be so satisfied where there is clear evidence of a breach. As with all such complaints, the allegations of the Northamptonshire parents are being investigated and a reply will be sent to them once those investigations are complete.