§ Lord Cocks of Hartcliffeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether in the light of the recently received Rogers Report, Toward a Modern Renaissance, the Government will invite Bristol County Council to reconsider the decision to close both Pen Park and Merrywood schools. [HL3695]
§ The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Baroness Blackstone)A local education authority that wishes to close a school must first publish proposals, following local consultation. The proposals provide for a period of two months during which objections may be made to them. If there are objections, the proposals fall to the Secretary of State to decide. I cannot make any comment on the proposals for Merrywood and Pen Park Schools as it might be seen as prejudging any decision which my right honourable friend the Secretary of State is called upon to make on these schools. He will of course consider each case carefully on its merits taking account of any objections, the comments of Bristol local education authority and all other factors that appear to him to be relevant.