§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why the importance of the village school to village communities is not one of the factors which she has encouraged local authorities to take into account when considering the closure of small schools.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonThe most important factors when considering proposals under Section 13 of the Education Act 1944, as amended, are educational ones. My right hon. Friend does, however, consider other factors, including the effects of a school closure on a small community, and the document she has circulated to local authority associations and others for comment makes this clear.