---

Academies Bill [Lords]

Unusually, I do not agree with the hon. Gentleman, because a much tighter form of words in the Bill would ensure that we deliver exactly what he proposes. I believe that the Bill is so drafted because the Government think that the opposition from local authorities and local groups that always emerges to school reorganisation could hold up the progress of the Bill and the attempt to fast-track some schools to academy status. The lawyers will have said, ““Put in 'they think appropriate', because if you start listing people and groups such as parents and community organisations, you will open yourself up, when trying to convert, to the possibility of legal challenges from parents and organisations saying they were not consulted when they should have been.”” To fast-track academies is a policy objective, and I think that Ministers, their officials and their lawyers will have said, ““For goodness' sake, don't make a list, because it will be a hostage to fortune.”” Furthermore, I cannot understand why clause 5(3) includes the phrase"““or after an Academy order””."