Conservative peer Lord Hanningfield successfully pushed through an amendment to the Bill last week that will mean no local authority will be able to close a special school without first consulting all other councils that send pupils to the school in question. They must also consult with the registered parents of pupils attending the school.
Lord Hanningfield said he had "serious reservations" about existing government policy on the issue.
"It must be realised that some children with very severe conditions will never be able to be incorporated in mainstream schools and that should not be attempted," he added.
"Many schools are multi-authority and a local authority could close a school serving several local authorities. We are also concerned about the consultation of parents when children come to such schools from a wide area.
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