§ 17. Mr. Charles Brownasked the President of the Board of Education why he has refused permission to the Nottingham County Education Committee to close the Church of England elementary school at Hayton in North Nottinghamshire, which is attended by 22 children, when Clarborough school, less than a mile away, could accommodate the children from Hayton?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education (Mr. Ede)Permission has not been refused. A proposal to 1250 close the school was made by the local education authority four years ago, and was opposed by the managers. The Board asked the authority to reconsider the proposal in the light of comments on the nature of the alternative accommodation at Clarborough School and on possible dangers from traffic to the Hayton children. The authority's observations on these points were not submitted and the proposal to close the school accordingly lapsed.
§ 18. Mr. C. Brownasked the President of the Board of Education why he has refused permission to the Nottingham County Education Committee to close the Church of England school at Edingly, Nottinghamshire, after all the parties concerned had agreed to the desirability of closing this small school, and when other accommodation for the children was available in the vicinity?
§ Mr. EdePermission to close the Edingley School has not been refused, but the authority were invited to consider the desirability of continuing to maintain the school for the present in order to avoid the necessity for long journeys by young children. The authority have decided not to proceed at the present time with their proposal.
§ Mr. BrownIs the hon. Member aware that the Nottinghamshire Education Committee are greatly concerned about the policy of the Board in regard to these matters, and, having regard to the present need for economy and the coming shortage of teachers, cannot these questions be reconsidered?
§ Mr. EdeThe Board are perfectly willing to reconsider on its merits any fresh application that is made by an education authority.