As he suggested, such work is not always seen by those outside this building. They should be congratulated on the thoughtful consideration that they gave to the Bill. As the Secretary of State said, we all have the same aim. It is to try to improve the educational opportunities for disabled children and to ensure that children with special educational needs have their needs properly provided for, so that they can develop to their full potential and in a way that is right for them. It is unfortunate that some Labour Members have sometimes appeared to suggest that anyone who questioned any part of the Bill was against disabled children and wanted to destroy the concept of inclusion in mainstream schools.
Nothing is further from the truth.
It is essential that we get such a Bill right, and essential for the interests of children that their needs are met. We must ensure that what we do in the House, albeit with the best of intentions, does not, inadvertently or otherwise, act against the interests of children. That is why it was necessary to ensure that the Bill received careful scrutiny, and to consider the implications of its implementation. There is no doubt that in the past, some children with special educational needs who would have benefited from education in a mainstream school setting have been denied such education. Column 530 attempt to ensure through legislation that no children lose out in that way in future.