HC Deb 30 October 1981 vol 10 cc471-2W

Mr. Cant asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether in order to avoid delay in dealing with proposals for school closures made by local education authorities in 1981–82 and subsequent years he will review the arrangements in his Department and if necessary increase the size of the unit responsible.

Dr. Boyson: The Department's procedures for dealing with such proposals, and the complement of the branch concerned, are kept under constant review in the light of the need to avoid unnecessary delay and of the constraints imposed on Civil Service manpower.