Schools White Paper

My Lords, I congratulate the Government unreservedly on reintroducing the sort of school that I introduced in 1988 and which they abolished in 1997. There should be rejoicing when a sinner repenteth. May I express the hope that the new state independent schools will be as successful as the grant-maintained schools? I raise with the Minister two points that follow from the Government’s proposals. First, on schools for children with special educational needs, I assume that the new powers granted to parents will also extend to such schools, which is good news indeed, since no special schools now threatened by local education authorities will be closed, since the wishes of parents are overwhelmingly in favour of keeping such schools going. Secondly, if any private faith schools decide to use those powers to obtain government funding, will the Minister ensure that the admissions procedures insist on children of all faiths being admitted to such schools? These powers should not be used to extend exclusive schools in our society.