HL Deb 19 July 2000 vol 615 c95WA
Lord Cocks of Hartcliffe

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the date when the Secretary of State for Education made the decision to close Merrywood School, Knowle West, Bristol. [HL3350]

The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Baroness Blackstone)

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment reached his decision on Bristol's proposals to close Merrywood School on 10 April 2000.

Lord Cocks of Hartcliffe

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the closure of Merrywood School, Knowle West, Bristol will help to reduce the number of accidents to children travelling to and from school. [HL3351]

Baroness Blackstone

In reaching his decision on the proposals to close Merrywood School, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment fully considered all the information available to him. The safety of routes to alternative schools was not raised as an issue by objectors to the proposals. Funding is, however, to be made available to improve vehicular access to one of the receiving schools: Hengrove Secondary. Bristol Local Education Authority's transport policy will apply.

Lord Cocks of Hartcliffe

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What discussions they have had concerning the playing fields of Merrywood School, Knowle West, Bristol. [HL3352]

Baroness Blackstone

I am not aware of any discussions having taken place regarding Merrywood's playing fields. As the noble Lord is aware, the Government are committed to preventing the indiscriminate disposal of school playing fields and want to ensure that playing fields needed by schools and local communities are retained. To this end, the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 requires local authorities to obtain the written consent of the Secretary of State before disposing, or changing the use, of any playing field that has been used by a maintained school in the past 10 years. I can confirm that no application has been received from Bristol to dispose, or change the use, of the playing fields at the Merrywood School.