§ 14. Mr. BellinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a further statement of his policy towards state schools in rural areas.
§ Mrs. RumboldIt is the responsibility of local education authorities to provide a proper service to rural as well as to other areas. My right hon. Friend is currently supporting a number of projects, including some in Norfolk, designed to identify ways of enriching the curriculum of rural primary schools. Any proposal for the closure of a rural school which comes before my right hon. Friend is considered very carefully in the light of the criteria set out in the Department's circular 3/87, which makes it clear that size alone is not a criterion for closure.
§ Mr. BellinghamI am grateful for that reply. Will my hon. Friend reiterate her support for small rural schools and, above all, for the crucial role that they play in conserving the fabric of many rural communities? Is she also aware that some rural schools would like to opt out under the Secretary of State's proposals and that it would be unfortunate if they were precluded from doing so by too high a limit being set?
§ Mrs. RumboldI thank my hon. Friend for those words. Of course, the Government are anxious to preserve those schools which are excellent, particularly those in small rural areas. We are well aware of the role that they play. However, we have to consider other criteria besides the fondness of parents for small schools, and these include education criteria.