Member

Finally, Amendments 432B and 433A relate to new Section 101(2)(g) inserted by Clause 39 which relates to the definition of a material change. Our concern is that a simple change of use of a building or the addition of, say, a bike shed for students’ use would need to be notified to the Secretary of State. Can the Minister explain whether this applies to academies or only to fee-paying schools? The former Minister in the other place, when responding to my honourable friend on this point, appeared to say that it was the latter, but I am not clear where that is made clear in the legislation. As I understand it, Clause 39 links to Clause 36 and academies are not excepted institutions unless, of course, the Government see the light and accept my earlier amendment. I had understood that they would be caught by this clause.