I remind noble Lords that our proposals to strengthen the right to a mainstream place, which also safeguard the interests of all children, have been welcomed. The amendment would make the education of individual children paramount. It would entitle every child who has SEN or a disability to the best possible education. We believe that the needs of individual children should be balanced alongside the needs of all children. The amendment provides no answer.
Education involves balancing many interests.
The Bill provides for that, but the amendment does not. The amendment promotes the interests of children with SEN and disabilities over and above the needs of other children. It is not clear whether other children are being given comparable rights to the best possible education. If they are not, it would render the Bill incompatible with the Human Rights Act 1998. Our policy for children with SEN and disabilities is clear and simple.