HC Deb 23 March 1984 vol 56 cc1317-8 9.35 am
Mr. Michael Cocks (Bristol, South)

I beg leave to present a petition, Mr. Speaker, from the residents of the constituency of Bristol, South to the hon. Members of the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled.

The humble petition of the residents of the constituency of Bristol, South Sheweth that we the Undersigned oppose the closure of Merrywood Boys' School, Bristol, for the following reasons:

  1. 1. It goes against the wishes of local people, local Members of Parliament, local churches and youth workers, educational professionals, educational support services, many county councillors and the full Bristol City Council;
  2. 2. No educational reasons have been given for the closure;
  3. 3. The school fulfils a valuable community role in this large, deprived inner city area …
Wherefore your Petitioners pray that the hon. Members of the House of Commons should be aware of the intensity and breadth of local feeling, the injustice and unfairness of Avon's decisions, the manner of its implementation and call upon the Secretary of State for Education to reject the decision of the Count) of Avon to close Merrywood Boys' School, Bristol. And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, etc. The 7,091 people who signed the petition have my fullest support in this course.

To lie upon the Table.

9.37 am
Mr. Jonathan Sayeed (Bristol, East)

I have pleasure in presenting this Petition to the hon. Members of the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled.

The humble petition of the residents of the constituency of Bristol, East Sheweth that we the Undersigned oppose the closure of Merrywood Boys' School, Bristol … for the following reasons: It denies equal opportunity for boys and girls in schooling in Bristol, East. Merrywood is a large, vital, thriving school. Its numbers remain high, and the school remains viable. Its pupils and parents are, on the whole, content, and there is no reason for the school to be closed by Avon county council, save for the fact that Avon wishes to use the site for other purposes. Wherefore your Petitioners pray that the hon. Members of the House of Commons should be aware of the intensity and breadth of local feeling, the injustice and unfairness of Avon's decision, the manner of its implementation and call upon the Secretary of State for Education to reject the decision of the County of Avon to close Merrywood Boys' School, Bristol. May I add briefly that the petition has the complete support of myself, youth workers, local churches, educational professionals, educational support services, many county councillors and the full Bristol city council.

To lie upon the Table.