§ 18. Mr. Lordasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the current figure for the number of surplus places in secondary schools; and what further number he expects to be taken out of use in the next five years.
§ Mr. DunnBetween January 1981 and December 1983 it is estimated that local education authorities took out of use some 135,000 secondary school places and that this left some 500,000 surplus places in use in January 1984.
§ Mr. LordAs surplus places often lead to closures, is my hon. Friend aware that in rural areas, especially, the schools often play a vital part in the whole life of the community, which cannot be evaluated in purely financial terms?
§ Mr. DunnI accept my hon. Friend's point. When I receive deputations from rural constituencies, I fully acknowledge the role of the village school in other than purely educational terms.
§ Mr. PavittIn considering the problem of falling rolls and adjudicating on possible closures, will the hon. Gentleman consider not only rural areas but inner city areas with Caribbean, Asian or other large ethnic minorities, where the closure of a school may be a disaster for community relations?
§ Mr. DunnI assure the hon. Gentleman that when a proposal comes before the Secretary of State for the removal of surplus places or the closure or amalgamation of schools all objectors have a full and real opportunity to make their views known.