§ Baroness Davidasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many local authorities have, under Section 14 of the 1981 Education Act, served written notice on the Secretary of State of their proposals to cease to maintain special schools; how many schools are involved; and how many proposals have been accepted and how many rejected.
§ The Earl of SwintonTo date 21 local education authorities have served written notice on the Secretary of State of proposals to cease to maintain special schools; 34 schools are involved; 21 school closures have been approved and none has been rejected. In four cases the statutory periods allowed for objections to be made and forwarded to the Secretary of State have still to expire; proposals involving the remaining nine schools are still under consideration by the Secretary of State.