Smith brings Tribunal concerns to Minister

1/11/07

Margaret Smith MSP has raised concerns about the problems with Additional Support for Learning Tribunals with the Minister for Community Safety Fergus Ewing MSP. At a Scottish Parliament debate yesterday, the Edinburgh West MSP highlighted problems Edinburgh residents had experienced with the Tribunals and called on the Scottish Government to ensure that they were working effectively, before asking the Minister directly to provide assurances that parental satisfaction with the Tribunals and the functioning of the Tribunals would be monitored and reviewed. 

Commenting after the debate, Ms Smith said: “A number of constituents have approached me to express concerns about the inequality of the Additional Support for Learning Tribunals and the stress they have caused by these. It is vital that the Government monitors these Tribunals closely to ensure that they are doing the job they were established to do and are not biased in favour of the authorities.

“I am pleased that the Minister recognises the need for effective supervision of Tribunals and I hope that the new Scottish Committee of the Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council will fulfil its role and report to Parliament regarding any concerns about Scottish Tribunals.”

Margaret was speaking in a debate about Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) during which she provided the work done mediation services across the country and gave her support for ADR as a means of resolving disputes outwith the courts. 

Read Margaret’s speech at the debate and her question to the Minister