§ Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many primary and secondary schools, respectively, were closed in each of the last five years in Wales; how many closures are contemplated in each of the next three years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael RobertsInformation from local education authorities shows that the numbers of schools closed in the last five years were:
1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 Primary 33 32 15 6 13 Secondary 3 10 13 1 — However, many of these formed part of reorganisation or rationalisation schemes where educational facilities were amalgamated, modernised or replaced. The net reduction over the period was 34 primary and 13 secondary schools. Responsibility for proposing closures lies with local education authorities or the governors of voluntary schools and I am not aware of their intentions for the future.