§ Mr. Harry Barnes (Derbyshire, North-East)I wish to present a petition from my constituents in the Heath and Holmewood area of north-east Derbyshire.
Derbyshire county council has proposed to the Department of Education and Science that the Heath school for 11 to 16-year-olds should be closed. Although the council has a good record as a local education authority, this part of its plan for the area is seriously flawed.
I am pleased to present and support the petition, as I was pleased to support my constituents when a deputation met the Minister on Thursday. The petition reads:
To the Honourable Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled. The Humble Petition of the residents of Heath and Holmewood, Derbyshire sheweth that proposals to close Heath Comprehensive school would deprive parents of the right to choose that their children be educated in a modern, well-maintained, purpose-built school of proven worth;Cause present and future pupils increased travel problems, particularly in winter; increase stress and provide no educational benefit;Deprive the community of an important local asset of which it is justifiably proud;Cause increased social deprivation in an already deprived area;Divide a community linked by the school.Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House will take measures to prevent the closure of Heath Comprehensive school.And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will pray that your Honourable House will take measures to prevent the closure of Heath Comprehensive school.That is signed by Mrs. Sally Holland of, 5 Gorse bank, Heath, Chesterfield and another 1,018 constituents.
§ To lie upon the Table.