Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

Bill Esterson Excerpts
Monday 7th February 2011

(13 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Michael Gove Portrait Michael Gove
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They deserve to be treated like every other student. We are reviewing funding and will be publishing a paper in the spring to try to ensure greater equity in the allocation of schools funding.

Bill Esterson Portrait Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab)
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All 19 of the children’s centres in Sefton are under review. Does the Minister stand by her statement that local authorities have a legal duty to maintain a sufficient network of children’s centres? If she does, how many of Sefton council’s 19 children’s centres should it keep open to meet those legal duties?

Sarah Teather Portrait Sarah Teather
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The hon. Gentleman and I discussed this matter in detail when he introduced an Adjournment debate last week. I stand by my statement. Similarly, the council has a legal duty to consult before closing, opening or restructuring in its area. I am sure that it is in the middle of that consultation at the moment, and that parents will make their views very clear.