9:00 pm
John Bangs: There are a number of points, but I would first like to thank the Bill team. Conversations with them have been extremely productive and there has been a genuine listening process. That has happened in previous Bills, but I think that this has been one of the best conversations we have had.
In parts, there is too much bureaucracy. In parts, there are sections which are very important and we have chosen not to comment on them or promote them, particularly on apprenticeships for example—that is a very important section. There are other themes that run through the Bill as well: the establishment of three new agencies; one non-ministerial Government Department; and, if children’s trusts become statutory, a set of local agencies as well. We therefore see the development of agencies as a theme running through the Bill.
I agree with John, in part, about the issue of work load as it bears down on teachers. There is an issue, a potential consequence, of work load, but in a sense we think—and we will comment if there are any questions on those particular areas—that a teacher’s professional judgment is likely to be undermined in certain aspects, particularly under the behaviour sections of the Bill. We would obviously like to have the opportunity to comment on those. So there are the issues of professional judgment and agencies, and in part I agree with John about the work load.