Al-Madinah Free School Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Al-Madinah Free School

Pauline Latham Excerpts
Thursday 17th October 2013

(11 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Laws Portrait Mr Laws
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We certainly will take action. The local authority concerned should reflect on some of the schools that it is responsible for in the area, many of which are not good or outstanding. It should focus on doing its job; we will do ours.

Pauline Latham Portrait Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con)
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Is the Minister as surprised as I am that, interestingly, whereas the hon. Member for Derby North (Chris Williamson), who has been vociferous in the national and local press about this school, because he is totally against free schools, wants it brought within the remit of the local authority, the chairman of governors, who wanted to be a Labour councillor, was quite happy with it? Labour’s policy is all over the place. I thought that the hon. Gentleman was at odds with the shadow Secretary of State, but clearly he is not.

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. First, the question was too long; secondly, the Minister has absolutely no responsibility for the attendance or stance of absent or present Members. Perhaps we can deal holistically with the issue, rather than with the minutiae.