§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science in how many cases she has refused to consent to closure of village schools in each year since she took office; and what the figures have been for each year since 1967.
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§ Miss Margaret JacksonUp to January 1977, records were not kept of proposals relating to the closure of schools, and the information for earlier years cannot be provided without a disproportionate amount of work and cost. Since January 1977, three proposals to close village schools have been rejected under Section 13 of the Education Act 1944, as amended. I will write to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will reconsider the three mile rule on travel to school.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonMy right hon. Friend has commissioned a study of the administrative and financial implications of an alternative to the present arrangements which would involve the introduction of a flat-rate charge for all distances, to be remitted in cases of hardship.