§ Mrs. MayTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assistance his Department makes available to schools which have to accommodate increased numbers as a result of the temporary closure of a nearby school. [52992]
§ Ms Estelle Morris[holding answers 28 July 1998]: The Department has no specific programme of assistance to schools in the general circumstances described. Where proposals are published to close a school and fall to the Secretary of State for decision, the effects on other schools are among the factors taken into account by the Department before a decision is made. However, funding for those other schools depends on the terms of the local management of schools scheme for the LEA concerned. Where capital building work is the issue, LEAs can apply to this Department for support in the form of Supplementary Credit Approvals. However, resources are very limited and all requests are considered alongside other competing claims.
§ Mrs. MayTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on temporary school closures; and what advice his Department has given to local education authorities on such closures. [52995]
§ Ms Estelle Morris[holding answers 28 July 1998]: Where proposals to close schools and establish new schools in the premises fall to the Secretary of State to decide under current legislation, they are considered on their individual merits, in the light of the circumstances 814W of each case and of objections received. The Department has not given any specific advice to local education authorities on such closures.