§ Mr. W. NICHOLSONasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware of the closing of the elementary school at Warnford, Hampshire, by the 896W Hampshire County Education Authority; whether the school was closed without any inquiry being held locally; whether the Board of Education were in any way consulted about the closing of the school; whether he is aware of the strong feeling of the parents and ratepayers of Warnford in the matter; and if he will have the question thoroughly investigated?
§ Mr. FISHERThe answer to the two first parts of the question are in the affirmative. The school, which had only 13 children on the books, was closed by the Local Education Authority on the 31st January, 1921, and the Board, after consideration of the circumstances, consented to its closure under Section 18 of the Elementary Education Act, 1870. The Board have received no protests against the closure, except from one local ratepayer. I see no ground for re-opening the matter.