§ Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy towards the retention of village schools which have adequate and substantial school buildings and a growing pupil role because of new housing development.
§ Dr. BoysonIt is for the local education authority, and not for my right hon. and learned Friend, to decide whether to propose the closure of a village school. Proposals by local education authorities to close schools will be approved by my right hon. and learned Friend if he is satisfied, after examining all the relevant circumstances including the condition of available accommodation and local population trends, that there would be educational or financial benefits from doing so and that the educational and other interests of the children involved would not suffer.