§ Mr. Anthony CoombsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education when he is going to consult on his proposals to amend the Education Act 1981 for the benefit of children with special educational needs and their parents.
§ Mr. ForthI am today issuing a consultation document on the Government's proposals to amend the Education Act 1981 which were announced by my noble Friend the Minister of State in another place on 29 June; and on our intention to establish a special educational needs tribunal which I announced on 11 July. Our proposals would improve local education authorities' performance on assessing and issuing statements for pupils with SEN; give parents of children with statements of SEN the right to state a preference for their child's school; oblige governors of LEA and grant-maintained schools whose school is named in a statement of SEN to admit that pupil; and provide for a clear and comprehensive system of rights of appeal by parents to an independent tribunal whose decisions would be binding on LEAs.