§ Sir G. de Freitasasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the closure of village schools in Northamptonshire.
§ Mr. CroslandI am not aware of any special circumstances in Northamptonshire on which I need comment. All proposals to close schools require my approval under Section 13 of the Education Act 1944, and at the present time there are five proposals for the closure of village schools in Northamptonshire awaiting my decision.