§ Mr. Alan Meale (Mansfield)This petition of 5,863 signatures has been gathered by Mr. Robert Fennell of Pleasley in Mansfield, ably assisted by parents, children and governors of the middle schools of Mansfield including those of Bull Farm, St. John's, Cumberlands, High Oakham, Ethel Wainwright, Windmill Ridge, Ravensdale and Berry Hill. It is in protest at the intentions of Nottinghamshire county council's education authority to reorganise middle school education in the Mansfield district, which will result in the closure of all those schools.
The petition states:
To the honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled.The humble Petition of the undersigned being people concerned about the proposed re-organisaton measures concerning Mansfield schools by Nottinghamshire County Council.That we are genuinely angry such measures have been proceeded with by the Education Authority, without due regard to the overwhelming views of opposition made to Nottingham County Council by the parents of children in the affected schools, teachers, school governors and other ancilliary staff employed in Mansfield Middle Schools.Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your honourable House will urge the Secretary of State for Education and Science not to agree to such changes unless and until it can be shown that proper and due regard has been paid to such views.And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray etc.
§ To lie upon the Table.