§ Mr. BettsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education how many complaints from parents under section 23 of the Education Reform Act 1988 have been outstanding for(a) three months and (b) six months since their receipt.
§ Mr. ForthFive complaints which have been considered by local education authorities or school governing bodies under section 23 of the Education Reform Act 1988 are now before the Secretary of State.
Of these:
- (a) Three have been outstanding at the Department for Education for between three and six months and
- (b) Two have been outstanding for more than six months.
Most complaints call for lengthy consultation with interested parties.
§ Mr. BettsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education in 1992 how many complaints from parents under section664W 23 of the Education Reform Act 1988 were determined by the Secretary of State within (a) one month, (b) two months, (c) three months, (d) four months, (e) six months and (f) more than six months of receipt.
§ Mr. ForthOf the 10 section 23 complaints that have been determined by my right hon. Friend since the Education Reform Act came into force:
- (a) none was determined within one month,
- (b) none was determined within two months,
- (c) one was determined within three months,
- (d) none was determined within four months,
- (e) two were determined within six months, and
- (f) seven took over six months to determine.
§ Mr. BettsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the target period in the citizens charter for the response time for him to decide upon complaints from parents under section 23 of the Education Reform Act 1988.
§ Mr. ForthThe citizens charter does not state a target period for my right hon. Friend to dispose of such complaints.