§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will take steps to ensure that school closure adjudicators who have served as local councilors28W are not appointed to carry out adjudications into closure proposals put forward by local authorities controlled by the political party to which they belong. [105627]
§ Ms Estelle Morris[holding answer 18 January 2000]: The Chief Adjudicator, Sir Peter Newsam, is responsible for allocating school closure proposals to Adjudicators. In doing so he takes into consideration possible conflicts of interest.
§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what arrangements have been made to enable the adjudicator he has appointed to consider Northumberland County Council's proposals to close Kirknewton, Acklington and Milfield schools, to hold a public hearing or inquiry into the proposals, in accordance with the guidance on the School Adjudication System which he issued on 1 April 1999. [105641]
§ Ms Estelle Morris[holding answer 18 January 2000]: I understand that Dr. Billings, the Adjudicator appointed to consider Northumberland County Council's proposals, is planning to hear directly from parents and other interested parties who have anything to add to the points made during the consultations which have already taken place. He has instructed the Office of the Schools Adjudicator to make the necessary arrangements.