HC Deb 25 January 1979 vol 961 cc220-1W
Mr. Rost

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information she has concerning the schools and other educational establishments in Derbyshire which were closed on Monday 22 January; and for what reasons the establishments were closed.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

All maintained day schools and colleges in Derbyshire were closed on 22 January. Three of the nine residential special schools were also closed. Special arrangements were made to keep open the other six and also the boarding houses attached to schools in Buxton, Bakewell and Ashbourne. The Derbyshire education authority took the decision to close the schools because of strike action by members of the National Union of Public Employees.