My Lords, I, too, join noble Lords in congratulating my noble friend Lord Freud on his very eloquent maiden speech. It is obvious that my noble friend will be an exceptional addition to your Lordships’ House, to which no doubt he will bring great experience and wisdom. I thank the...

My Lords, I, too, join noble Lords in congratulating my noble friend Lord Freud on his very eloquent maiden speech. It is obvious that my noble friend will be an exceptional addition to your Lordships’ House, to which no doubt he will bring great experience and wisdom. I thank the...

Autism Bill. Lords second reading debate. Agreed to on question and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.

Autism Bill. Lords second reading debate. Agreed to on question and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.

My noble friend Lord Elton has once again brought forward a particularly sharp and important amendment. This time he is not tightening the drafted legislation but is attempting to tighten a crucial part of the policy within it. I am sure that most noble Lords around this Chamber will have...

My noble friend Lord Elton has once again brought forward a particularly sharp and important amendment. This time he is not tightening the drafted legislation but is attempting to tighten a crucial part of the policy within it. I am sure that most noble Lords around this Chamber will have...

I thank the Minister for her response and my noble friend Lady Perry for supporting the amendment. The Minister has offered reassurance that, on the face of it, allays my fears. But I should like to read carefully what she has said and if need be return to the subject....

I thank the Minister for her response and my noble friend Lady Perry for supporting the amendment. The Minister has offered reassurance that, on the face of it, allays my fears. But I should like to read carefully what she has said and if need be return to the subject....

Amendment 102A is a probing amendment, which is merely designed to draw attention to the fact that devolution of the funding of academies raises real questions about the future of sixth forms in those schools. This is a concern felt by many groups. Dr. Daniel Moynihan, chief executive of the...

Amendment 102A is a probing amendment, which is merely designed to draw attention to the fact that devolution of the funding of academies raises real questions about the future of sixth forms in those schools. This is a concern felt by many groups. Dr. Daniel Moynihan, chief executive of the...

Amendment 102A 102A: Clause 40, page 24, line 35, at end insert— "( ) In performing the duty imposed by subsection (4)(a), a local authority is required to fund sixth form provision of— (a) an existing academy without a sixth form which intends to establish a sixth form; or (b)...

Amendment 102A 102A: Clause 40, page 24, line 35, at end insert— "( ) In performing the duty imposed by subsection (4)(a), a local authority is required to fund sixth form provision of— (a) an existing academy without a sixth form which intends to establish a sixth form; or (b)...