HC Deb 16 July 1990 vol 176 c378W
Mr. Mallon

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his policy as to whether a representative of the board of governors of a grammar school which has not allocated a place to a student transferring from primary school should be available for questioning at any tribunal established to hear an appeal against the board's decision.

Dr. Mawhinney

The School Admissions (Appeal Tribunals) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1990 afford a representative of the board of governors of a school whose decision is under appeal to appear at an appeal hearing and to make oral representations. The regulations do not require the representative to be available for questioning.

Mr. Mallon

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many secondary and grammar schools in Northern Ireland have specified in their selection criteria for children transferring from primary schools a priority for children(a) with a brother or sister who attended that school, (b) with a parent who attended that school and (c) who were the first born to their parents.

Dr. Mawhinney

The information is as follows:

  1. (a) 208
  2. (b) 38
  3. (c) 6

Mr. Mallon

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether legal representation will be available to parents attending tribunals to appeal against the placement of their child in a secondary or grammar school.

Dr. Mawhinney

Legal representation will not be made available at appeals tribunals. It will be a matter for appeals tribunals, in conjunction with education and library boards, to decide if parents may be legally represented.