To ask the Secretary of State for Education with reference to the special educational needs Green Paper, paragraph 7, page 5, what the evidential basis is for the bias identified by his Department towards inclusion for children with special educational needs.

In developing the Green Paper many parents told us that they do not have a real choice of school, including many parents who want a special school for their child and feel frustrated by not being given their choice by the local authority. By preventing the unnecessary closure of special schools and encouraging the development of the special school sector, through special academies and free schools, the Government will improve parents' choice of school, whether that be for mainstream or special.