division_name: School Standards and Framework Bill - Abolition of corporal punishment in schools etc.
motion: <p>
   I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.
  <p> 
  
   I shall endeavour not to detain the House too long. I should like to start with a positive comment. The aim of the new clause is to address the worst effects of the interplay of the Greenwich judgment, grant-maintained schools and selection, which can leave children in many parts of the country without a school place.
  <p> 
  
   We want to allow the money to follow the pupil. I was not a member of the Standing Committee, but I have read the report of its debates. The Liberal Democrats moved an amendment in Committee in an attempt to address the Greenwich judgment head on by reversing it. After debate, the amendment was withdrawn. We have reflected on what was said and have tabled the new clause in an attempt to move matters forward.
  <p> 
  
   A number of problems arise from the Greenwich judgment. It is not relevant in every area, but the problems affect many, particularly those in large conurbations with a number of smaller local education authorities--areas where selection continues and there is a large number of <p> 
  
   
  
   
  
   24 Mar 1998 : Column 373  
  grant-maintained schools. There has been a fragmentation of the admission and planning arrangements designed to meet the demand for places.
  <p>Motion and clause, by leave, withdrawn. 
  
   <p>
   I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.
  <p> 
  
   I shall be equally brief. [Hon. Members: "Hear, hear."] This bear pit is what it must have been like for the Christians being fed to the lions.
  <p> 
  
   The purpose of the new clause is straightforward, and we hope that the Government will support it. In Committee, we discussed the relationship between LEAs and schools. It took a great deal of hard work to get from the Government an agreement that there would be a published code of practice. We welcomed that, and we welcomed also the fact that there will be a clear set of criteria covering the relationship between an LEA and an individual school. What worries us is that the Bill proposes to give the Secretary of State the power to change the code of practice without any review. The purpose of the new clause is to say that, if the Secretary of State wishes to change the code of practice, a resolution from both Houses will be needed.
  <p> 
      Mrs. Browning:   
   We have touched on this issue in Committee and on Report and, yet again, I seek an <p>Motion and clause, by leave, withdrawn. 
  
   <p>
   I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.
  <p> 
      Mr. Deputy Speaker:   
   With this, it will be convenient to discuss the following: New clause 23-- Abolition of corporal punishment in schools etc. --
  <p>Motion and clause, by leave, withdrawn. 
  
   <p>(a) by a local education authority; or
   
  (b) by any other person--
   
  (i) who is (or is to be) in receipt of financial assistance given by such an authority and whose provision of nursery education is taken into account by the authority in formulating proposals for the purposes of section 110(2)(a) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, or
   
  (ii) who is (or is to be) in receipt of grants under section 1 of the Nursery Education and Grant-Maintained Schools Act 1996; or
   
  (c) (otherwise than as mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b)) in any educational institution which would fall within section 4(1) above (definition of "school") but for the fact that it provides part-time, rather than full-time, primary education."
   
  (2) The following provisions of the Education Act 1996, namely--
   
  (a) section 549 (interpretation of section 548), and
   
  (b) section 550 (no avoidance of section 548 by refusing admission to school etc.), shall cease to have effect.'.-- [Kali  Mountford.] 
   
   Brought up, and read the First time. 
  <p>Motion made, and Question put,  That the clause be read a Second time:--
  <p>The House divided:  Ayes 211, Noes 15.
   