§ 23. Mr. Silvesterasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps she is taking to ensure that local education authorities are meeting their statutory obligation to provide schooling for children in their area.
§ Mr. Shirley WilliamsI refer the hon. Member to the statement I made in the House on 29 January in reply to the private notice question tabled by the hon. Member for Hornsey (Mr. Rossi).—[Vol. 901, c. 1030–36.] It is a local education authority's duty to ensure that there is adequate schooling for the children in112W its area. Although I have the power to make an order under section 99 of the Education Act 1944 if an authority is in default of its duties under the Act, it would clearly not be appropriate or sensible to use such powers in this situation. I am confident that authorities will do their utmost to try and minimise the effects of these closures on the children's education in the face of a very difficult situation.