HL Deb 11 June 1981 vol 421 c423WA
Lord Evans of Claughton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it is their intention to refuse to confirm orders for school closures under Section 12 of the Education Act in the event of local authorities ignoring or following only partially the procedures laid down in the Education Act 1980.

Baroness Young

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science takes action on such matters in the light of the failure concerned. Where a failure to comply with the provisions of the Education Act 1980 is so serious as to invalidate the proposals, no decision falls to be taken by him. Where a failure would not have this effect, he nevertheless takes the failure into account when deciding whether to approve or reject the proposals.