SI 2007/1797. (Negative instrument). Together with an explanatory memorandum from the Department for Education and Skills. Coming into force 1 October 2007.

SI 2007/1797. (Negative instrument). Together with an explanatory memorandum from the Department for Education and Skills. Coming into force 1 October 2007.

SI 2007/1063. (Negative instrument). Together with an explanatory memorandum from the Department for Education and Skills. Coming into force 1May 2007.

SI 2007/1063. (Negative instrument). Together with an explanatory memorandum from the Department for Education and Skills. Coming into force 1May 2007.

Letter dated 22/01/2007 from Lord Adonis to Lord Jones regarding a government memorandum on the provisions for Wales in clause 26 of the Further Education and Training Bill. Incl. copy of Welsh Assembly Government memorandum on the provision of legislative competence for Wales.

Letter dated 22/01/2007 from Lord Adonis to Lord Jones regarding a government memorandum on the provisions for Wales in clause 26 of the Further Education and Training Bill. Incl. copy of Welsh Assembly Government memorandum on the provision of legislative competence for Wales.

Letter dated 11/01/2007 from Lord Adonis to Baroness Valentine regarding various issues arising from the debate on the Further Education and Training Bill.

Letter dated 11/01/2007 from Lord Adonis to Baroness Valentine regarding various issues arising from the debate on the Further Education and Training Bill.

Letter dated 10/10/2006 from Lord Adonis to Baroness Buscombe regarding draft regulations under the Education and Inspections Bill.

Letter dated 10/10/2006 from Lord Adonis to Baroness Buscombe regarding draft regulations under the Education and Inspections Bill.

SI 2006/2601 (Negative instrument). Together with an explanatory memorandum from the Department for Education and Skills. Coming into force 31 October 2006

SI 2006/2601 (Negative instrument). Together with an explanatory memorandum from the Department for Education and Skills. Coming into force 31 October 2006

The amendments would amend the process by which schools are established and, in some cases, interpose another statutory layer, the parental ballot, into the local decision-making process. Parental ballots were the subject of long debates and, indeed, a ballot in the elected House of Commons, which voted by a huge...

The amendments would amend the process by which schools are established and, in some cases, interpose another statutory layer, the parental ballot, into the local decision-making process. Parental ballots were the subject of long debates and, indeed, a ballot in the elected House of Commons, which voted by a huge...

Education and Inspections Bill. Lords Committee stage third day. Clause 7 under consideration. Part 1 of 3 records.

Education and Inspections Bill. Lords Committee stage third day. Clause 7 under consideration. Part 1 of 3 records.

Briefly, I will not push these amendments at present, but I shall make a couple of points. First, we have specifically called for a ballot on the discontinuance of a school, one of the areas the Minister referred to. We have indicated that, where a school is to be discontinued,...

Briefly, I will not push these amendments at present, but I shall make a couple of points. First, we have specifically called for a ballot on the discontinuance of a school, one of the areas the Minister referred to. We have indicated that, where a school is to be discontinued,...

It is encouraging to hear such unanimity across the Committee on the importance of parents. Let us be sure when we consult parents that we consult all parents and not merely those who are accustomed to public speaking and those who have a voice; we must listen also to those...

It is encouraging to hear such unanimity across the Committee on the importance of parents. Let us be sure when we consult parents that we consult all parents and not merely those who are accustomed to public speaking and those who have a voice; we must listen also to those...

I rise in response to the comments of the noble Lord, Lord Gould. If this Bill is really about empowering parents, why not give them a vote in the most important decision to be made about any school, which is its governance? Why are the Government frightened of parents? The...

I rise in response to the comments of the noble Lord, Lord Gould. If this Bill is really about empowering parents, why not give them a vote in the most important decision to be made about any school, which is its governance? Why are the Government frightened of parents? The...

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do now again resolve itself into Committee on this Bill. Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to. House in Committee accordingly. [The LORD SPEAKER in the Chair.] Clause 7 [Invitation for proposals for establishment of new schools]:

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do now again resolve itself into Committee on this Bill. Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to. House in Committee accordingly. [The LORD SPEAKER in the Chair.] Clause 7 [Invitation for proposals for establishment of new schools]:

I am sorry to interrupt the noble Baroness, but could noble Lords opposite either talk outside or not talk, because it is very difficult to concentrate?

I am sorry to interrupt the noble Baroness, but could noble Lords opposite either talk outside or not talk, because it is very difficult to concentrate?

moved Amendment No. 58: Page 7, line 3, after second ““a”” insert ““reasonable”” The noble Baroness said: In moving the amendment, I shall speak also to AmendmentsNos. 59, 60, 61, 121A, 125A, 125B, 125BA, 125C, 125D and 182. This set of 10 amendments aims, on the one hand, to probe...

moved Amendment No. 58: Page 7, line 3, after second ““a”” insert ““reasonable”” The noble Baroness said: In moving the amendment, I shall speak also to AmendmentsNos. 59, 60, 61, 121A, 125A, 125B, 125BA, 125C, 125D and 182. This set of 10 amendments aims, on the one hand, to probe...

I strongly support my noble friend’s arguments in favour of this group of proposals. Let us be very direct: if we believe that the Bill gives parents new powers, new strengths and a new influence, it is vital that those parents are properly informed about the decisions in which they...

I strongly support my noble friend’s arguments in favour of this group of proposals. Let us be very direct: if we believe that the Bill gives parents new powers, new strengths and a new influence, it is vital that those parents are properly informed about the decisions in which they...

Mention of common sense brings me rather neatly to the only other amendment in this first set that I have not so far dealt with—Amendment No. 60. If common sense is to be the arbiter of who might be a suitable partner, parents will be looking for a sponsor who...

Mention of common sense brings me rather neatly to the only other amendment in this first set that I have not so far dealt with—Amendment No. 60. If common sense is to be the arbiter of who might be a suitable partner, parents will be looking for a sponsor who...

I am strongly in favour of empowering parents; I am in favour of empowering everyone. That is the basis of my politics and that is why I support this Bill. I want parents to have the chance to choose the school that is right for their children; not just a...

I am strongly in favour of empowering parents; I am in favour of empowering everyone. That is the basis of my politics and that is why I support this Bill. I want parents to have the chance to choose the school that is right for their children; not just a...

I did not expect to agree so completely with the words of the noble Lord, who is one of the gurus of the Labour Party, but I do. I find the arguments put forward by the noble Baroness unconvincing. I thought that the amendments were confused, and I wanted to...

I did not expect to agree so completely with the words of the noble Lord, who is one of the gurus of the Labour Party, but I do. I find the arguments put forward by the noble Baroness unconvincing. I thought that the amendments were confused, and I wanted to...

I am grateful to the Minister for his response. I should like to clear up one or two misconceptions on the part of the noble Baroness, Lady Buscombe, before replying to some of the points that he has made. I should make absolutely clear that we are not opposed to...

I am grateful to the Minister for his response. I should like to clear up one or two misconceptions on the part of the noble Baroness, Lady Buscombe, before replying to some of the points that he has made. I should make absolutely clear that we are not opposed to...

moved Amendment No. 65: Page 7, line 19, at end insert- ““( ) The Secretary of State may not refuse consent under subsection (5)(b)(ii) in any case in which the request by the authority for such consent is shown to be supported by parents in such numbers and in such...

moved Amendment No. 65: Page 7, line 19, at end insert- ““( ) The Secretary of State may not refuse consent under subsection (5)(b)(ii) in any case in which the request by the authority for such consent is shown to be supported by parents in such numbers and in such...