§ Mr. Bennasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many secondary school closure notices awaited her decisison under Section 13 of the 1944 Education Act when she took office in June, 1970 ; how many have been sent to her since then ; and of all of these, how many were for schools taking part in comprehensive reorganisation, either changing to comprehensive status or opening in another capacity because of comprehensive reorganisation or closing altogether ; and whether she will list those she has accepted and those she has rejected, giving the reasons in each case.
§ Mrs. ThatcherUnder Section 13 of the Education Act, 1944, as amended, there is a period of two months following publication of notices in which objections to proposals may be lodged with my Department. On 19th June, 1970, there were 62 proposals before the Department for the closure of secondary schools for which notices had been published on or before 18th April, 1970. Since that date notices for a further 228 such proposals have been published. Of the total of 290, 240 are connected in one way or another with the establishment of comprehensive schools. I have approved 134 of these 290 proposals and rejected 3, in each case on their educational merits and in the light of the principles set out in Circular 10/70. I am sending the hon. Member the names of these 137 schools concerned. In the remaining 153 cases I am either still considering the proposals304W or awaiting the expiry of the period in which objections may be lodged.