HC Deb 13 May 1985 vol 79 c54W
Mr. Freud

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many members of staff in his Department work on appeals under the Education Act 1981.

Mr. Dunn

These appeals form part of the regular work of 16 people in the Division dealing with special education.

Mr. Freud

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average length of time between a parent appealing to him under (a) section 5(6) and (b) section 8(6) of the Education Act 1981 and the announcement of the result of the appeal.

Mr. Dunn

The average for all appeals received since the Act came into force in 1983 is(a) section 5(6): 19 weeks, (b) section 8(6): 18 weeks. The latter figure includes two instances where the parents withdrew the appeal and later renewed it. The average, excluding those cases, is 17 weeks.