Clause 4 - applications for orders under section 2
[Part I]Education Bill
Public Bill Committees, 11 December 2001, 6:30 pm
Mr Stephen Timms (Minister of State (School Standards), Department for Education and Skills; East Ham, Labour)
We have had some discussion about the first two subsections, which require schools or other qualifying bodies who propose to use the power to innovate to consult appropriate bodies. That is one of the checks and balances to ensure that all parties affected by the proposal have been consulted. We expect details and outcomes of consultation arrangements to be included in applications to the Secretary of State. Subsection (3) gives the Secretary of
State or the National Assembly of Wales, with the consent of the applicant, the flexibility to make different provision in a section 2 order from the provision originally requested. Consultation must be part of the proposals for innovative change. People have the right to have their views heard, and I hope that the Committee will agree that the clause should stand part of the Bill.
The discussions today have been useful, although we have made limited progress. We amended the programme motion to allow for possible discussion beyond 7 pm, and it may be in the Committee's interests to reconvene at 8 pm. I seek your guidance, Mrs. Adams.
Mrs Irene Adams (Paisley North, Labour)
What time does the Minister propose to conclude proceedings?
Mr Stephen Timms (Minister of State (School Standards), Department for Education and Skills; East Ham, Labour)
I did not have a specific time in mind, although I imagine that we will want to continue for some time. Do we have to specify a time now?
Mrs Irene Adams (Paisley North, Labour)
It would be helpful to know how long the Committee proposes to sit, because that will determine how long I suspend the sitting for dinner.
Mr Stephen Timms (Minister of State (School Standards), Department for Education and Skills; East Ham, Labour)
I suggest that we continue until 10 pm.
Mrs Irene Adams (Paisley North, Labour)
With the agreement of the Committee, we shall rise at 7 pm and reconvene from 8 until 10 pm.
Clause 4 ordered to stand part of the Bill.