§ Mr. Grieveasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what representations she has received against the closure of the Royal School for the Deaf at Martley, near Worcester; and to what extent such closure will reduce the facilities available for the education of deaf children in the West Midlands area;
(2) what proposals she has for providing alternative facilities for the education of deaf children in the event of the closure of Martley School, near Worcester.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonMy Department has received only one objection to the proposed closure of the premises at Martley. The capacity of the Royal School for the Deaf, Birmingham, will thereby be reduced by 30 places and the school will cease to admit children below the age of six. The Edgbaston premises 417W will remain open and most of the children from Martley will transfer to these premises. The closure is justified by falling demand and my right hon. Friend is satisfied that sufficient places for future needs already exist at other special schools and in units attached to ordinary schools in the area.