§ Mr. Watkinsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what objections he has received against the proposed closure of the Crickhowell Secondary Modern School by the Breconshire Education Committee; what action is now contemplated; and whether, in view of the objections received, he will set up a local public inquiry to hear the objectors in person.
§ Mr. CroslandObjections to the proposals for the closure of the Crickhowell Secondary Modern School by the Local Education Authority have been received from the following:
- Crickhowell Rural District Council.
- Llangenny Parish Council.
- The School Managers, Llangattock Voluntary Primary School.
- Officer Commanding Welsh Brigade Depot, Cwrt-y-Gollen, Crickhowell.
- Llangattock Horticultural Society.
103 - Llangattock Parish Council.
- The School Managers, Llanbedr Voluntary Primary School.
- Llangynidr Parish Council.
- The School Managers, Crickhowell Voluntary Primary School.
A petition signed by 711 residents of the Crickhowell area has also been received, as well as protests from a number of individuals resident in the area.
These have been referred to the local education authority and I am awaiting their comments before making a decision on the authority's proposals under Section 13(4) of the Education Act, 1944.
It is not proposed to set up a local public inquiry. The statutory procedure under Section 13 of the Education Act, 1944, provides ample opportunity for interested parties to submit objections to the Department and these are taken fully into account before a decision is made under the Act.