§ Mr. CorbettTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the present membership of the special educational needs tribunal panel, indicating(a) the experience and (b) the qualifications on which they were selected for appointment. [17332]
§ Mrs. Gillan[holding answer 26 February 1996]: The special educational needs tribunal has 32 legally qualified chairmen and 89 lay members. Their names are listed in appendix 3 of the president's annual report, a copy of which is in the Library.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State appoints lay members of the SEN tribunal. Lay members are required to have knowledge and experience at a strategic or operational level of either local government or special educational needs. The chairmen of the tribunal are required to have a seven-year legal qualification and are appointed by my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor.