§ 2. Mr. Allan Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to ensure that when local councils cut education services they maintain facilities provided originally by voluntary effort.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Mr. Bob Dunn)It is our view that those are matters best left for local resolution.
§ Mr. RobertsIs the Minister aware that the Sefton Conservative council has closed a learner swimming pool at St. James's primary school in my constituency, the money for which was raised completely by the parent-teacher association? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that that swimming pool has been closed merely to save £8,000 a year in running costs in an area where children drown in the Leeds-Liverpool canal? Will the Minister condemn such cuts and economy measures?
§ Mr. DunnIt is for local education authorities to decide the extent to which they can compensate for community losses associated with school closures or any other activity within the local education authority. Education law provides a framework for that and I see nothing to be gained from issuing central prescriptions on problems which arise at local community level.
§ Mr. GreenwayWill my hon. Friend invite the Inner London education authority to save money at the Cockpit theatre, which has promoted courses for young children, which have now been stopped, in bestiality, rape, and that sort of thing, to the detriment of its future? It is an area where money can and must be saved. The Cockpit theatre needs looking at.
§ Mr. DunnI note my hon. Friend's robust remarks and[...] leading the campaign which in many[...] suecessful closure of a number of items.[...] think that his point falls entirely within the[...]tion.