§ Mr. Heddleasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish in the Official Report the criteria he adopts in deciding whether to permit the closure of special schools.
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§ Mrs. RumboldIn deciding whether to approve proposals to close maintained special schools under section 14(5) of the Education Act 1981, my right hon. Friend has regard to the local circumstances in each case and, in particular, to whether the alternative provision proposed by the local education authority is appropriate to meet the special educational needs of all the pupils on the roll of the school at the proposed date of closure.
A copy of the Department's circular 3/82 "Section 14 of the Education Act 1981: Discontinuance of Maintained Special Schools" is being placed in the Library.