§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools which have been the subject of section 13(4) notices since 1972 have remained open.
§ Dr. BoysonI assume that the hon. Member is referring to approval given to local education authorities' proposals to cease to maintain schools. I regret that the information is not available. Although authorities were not under a duty to implement such approved proposals before the enactment of the Education Act 1976, the presumption is that they did so. Since 1976 authorities have been under a duty to cease to maintain schools in accordance with approved proposals.