HC Deb 22 March 1983 vol 39 cc705-7
2. Mr. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of proposed primary school closures submitted by local authorities he has approved since May 1979.

The Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Dr. Rhodes Boyson)

Published proposals for the closure of 538 primary schools were decided between 1 May 1979 and 28 February 1983. Local education authorities determined 89 of these as they attracted no statutory objections. My right hon. Friend and his predecessor approved 426 and rejected 23 of the remainder.

Mr. Knox

When reaching decisions about school closures, what weight does my hon. Friend place on financial considerations? Does he agree that it is difficult to get accurate financial information about savings on prospective school closures? Are there not special difficulties relating to the closure of rural schools and claimed savings in school transport, bearing in mind that the cost of school transport continues to rise?

Dr. Boyson

Before decisions are made under section 12 my right hon. Friend considers proposals for school closures from local education authorities. The considerations are primarily the education of the children involved, the fact that small schools may not have the variety of teachers required, how far the children have to travel to school, whether journeys take more than 35 minutes, and finance. The more that is spent on one aspect of education, the less that can be spent on another. However, rural schools are examined carefully, because of their effect on rural communities.

Mr. Beith

In considering school closures, will the Secretary of State have regard, as he did in a recent case in my constituency, to the important contribution of Church schools to our education system? Will he note the threat by the Liverpool Labour party to abolish Catholic schools and the reaction of the Catholic authorities? Will he resist any doctrinaire attempt to drive out of the system the contribution made by Church schools?

Dr. Boyson

The Government and, I am sure, many Opposition Members, are committed to the retention of denominational schools where parents desire them. I have read a report of what the hon. Gentleman referred to, and I know that that subject concerns many hon. Members. Children ought to be brought up in the faith of their parents if their parents wish them to attend denominational schools.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

Does my hon. Friend agree that some of the schools threatened with closure receive tremendous parental support? What weight will he give to that parental support in reaching his decision?

Dr. Boyson

The objections of parents and people in the area to any proposed school closure are considered carefully. If statutory objections are made by parents or others, they go to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. We always pay close attention to verbal and written objections from parents and consider their desire for a school to continue.

Mr. Kinnock

Is the Under-Secretary of State aware that hon. Members have just heard an unusually cheapjack jibe from the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith), which would seem to have much more to do with Darlington than with Liverpool or any other part of the country? I am sure that the Under-Secretary knows that the Labour group in Liverpool has published a comprehensive statement declaring its support for the continuation of denominational education and the proper exercise of parental choice in that city.

Dr. Boyson

It is difficult to know what the question was. The hon. Member for Bedwellty (Mr. Kinnock) said that he was sure that I knew about the statement, but I have not seen it. However, I must look at it and reply to it. In fairness, I have quoted in the House statements of certain Labour Members who are certainly against denominational schools. This is not the first time that the issue has come to the notice of the House.