§ Mr. Brocklebank-Fowlerasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what new considerations he took into account in reversing his predecessor's decision to refuse a section 13 application to close the Astley school; and what regard he paid to the representations made to him by the district and county councillors concerned, and by the hon. Member for Norfolk, North-West.
§ Dr. BoysonMy right hon. and learned Friend decides all such proposals on their individual merits in the light of current circumstances, the strength and nature of the objections made, and the educational and expenditure factors involved. He took all these matters fully into account in the case of Astley school, including the representations referred to by the hon. Member and the latest forecasts of pupil numbers for the Fakenham and Melton Constable area, before concluding that the proposal should be approved.