Academies Bill [Lords]

Julian Smith Excerpts

Wednesday 21st July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con)]

Does the hon. Lady not accept that this Bill does not include the capacity to expand selection? It is clear that that is not in the Bill; indeed, that is very clearly stated in the Bill. Would the hon. Lady not accept that?

[Glenda Jackson]

No, I would not accept that, because the Bill is allowing a minute number of people who are engaged in delivering publicly funded education to our children over a period of time to decide on their admissions policies. They can decide on everything. It seems that they have no need to consult anyone, and if they make a decision and there is a little trouble locally, they then go to the Secretary of State.

Many of us can remember that under a previous Conservative Government there were great difficulties with planning proposals. Planning was always a terrible problem, and the Government of the day simply rubber-stamped the proposals they wished to proceed.

[Julian Smith]

Is the hon. Lady telling the public that this Bill will expand selection? If she is, I believe that is a deceit.

[The First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means (Mr Nigel Evans)]

Order. The hon. Member should know that he cannot accuse another hon. Member of deceit. Perhaps he would like to rephrase his comments, and withdraw the word “deceit”.

[Julian Smith]

Of course I will. I think it is important—

[The First Deputy Chairman]

Do you withdraw that word?

[Julian Smith]

I withdraw that word, but I think it is important that we do not represent the Bill inaccurately. This Bill does not propose any expansion to selection in this country, beyond the terms embedded in existing legislation.

[Glenda Jackson]

How many Bills have been enacted in this place, the unconsidered consequences of which have created the necessity for this House to come back again and either write a new Bill or add an amendment to the existing legislation? To reassure the hon. Gentleman, I have been extremely public about what I regard as the intrinsic potential for huge damage in this Bill.