HC Deb 26 February 1986 vol 92 cc925-6
1. Mr. Kirkwood

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce legislation to allow independent local public inquiries to be held when education authorities seek to close small rural schools and the local community has made objections.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Allan Stewart)

My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to do so.

Mr. Kirkwood

Is the Minister aware that that is a disappointing answer? Is he not aware that there is a great deal of anxiety about the process of consultation that local authorities have implemented north of the border for the closure of rural schools? The Borders regional council went through a period of consultation last year that was exemplary, but there are still problems about getting an independent element or some form of appeal procedure into the existing machinery. Will he reconsider that?

Mr. Stewart

The Education (Scotland) Act 1980 requires that parents must be fully consulted, and a standard form of consultation is set out in the regulations. I believe that it is right, after consultation, for the majority of cases of school closures to be decided by the locally elected representatives, the education authority.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

Will my hon. Friend consider introducing legislation to change the basis of funding of schools so that it is on the basis of the number of pupils attending a school? Will he allow parents who wish to set up their own schools, perhaps in rural areas, to receive the equivalent of the state funding which would otherwise be provided?

Mr. Stewart

I note with interest my hon. Friend's points. I underline to him the Government's commitment to parental choice in education.

Mr. Ernie Ross

Given the example that we all had to live through in Tayside when Tayside decided to close not only rural schools, but schools in the inner city, will the Minister think again and allow an independent local inquiry when, as in the case of Tayside, there are justified arguments for not leaving it to the local authority?

Mr. Stewart

The provisions are that, in the majority of cases, the decisions should be made by the education authority. It is the elected representative of the people and I would have thought that the hon. Gentleman would support local democracy.

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