§ 2. Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has received any proposals from the Derbyshire Education Authority to close the primary schools in the villages of Dale Abbey and Stanton-by-Dale; whether his authorisation for such closures would be required; and what criteria are applied by him before reaching a decision.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonBefore these schools could be closed the authority would need to submit statutory proposals under Section 13 of the Education Act 1944, as amended. Such proposals have not yet been made. If they are, they will require the approval of my right hon. Friend, who will reach his decision with the best educational and other interests of the children in mind, and after taking account of any objections to the proposals submitted to him.
§ Mr. RostI welcome that answer. Will the hon. Lady give us an assurance that no more village primary schools will be closed simply on grounds of administrative convenience, bearing in mind their educational merit, the contribution they make to the life of the village and local community, and the parental opposition to many of the closures?
§ Miss JacksonAs I told the hon. Member, social and economic considerations are taken into account as well as educational considerations, but we cannot prejudge the decision of the authority, objections which might be received or consideration of these matters by my right hon. Friend.