HC Deb 23 March 1994 vol 240 cc260-1W
Mr. Nigel Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what statutory provisions apply to appellants' access to the minutes of special educational needs appeal hearings.

Mr. Forth

There are no statutory provisions relating to appellants' access to the minutes of special educational needs appeals hearings held by committees constituted by local education authorities in accordance with paragraph 1 of part I of schedule 2 to the Education Act 1980. There is no statutory requirement for my right hon. Friend to convene hearings before resolving appeals made to him under the Education Act 1981.

Mr. Nigel Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many special educational needs appeals he is currently considering; to what extent delays have been caused by the case currently before the Court of Appeal; when he expects this case to be heard; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Forth

My right hon. Friend is currently considering 330 appeals under the Education Act 1981. In compliance with the recent court judgment in the case of Regina v. Secretary of State for Education ex parte S my right hon. Friend now copies to the parties to each appeal any independent evaluations he receives from one of Her Majesty's inspectors of schools, and invites the parties to comment. He then gives careful consideration to any comments subsequently submitted to him. This process has added several weeks to the time taken to decide appeals. My right hon. Friend is appealing against the court judgment in question. The appeal will be heard on 27 June.