§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will refuse any application by the Grampian regional council to close the secondary department of the Rosehearty school.
§ Mr. Allan StewartUnder the terms of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 the consent of my right hon. Friend to school closures is now required only in limited circumstances. Any proposal to close a secondary school where the receiving school is 10 or more miles distant from that to be closed cannot he implemented without the Secretary of State's consent. Should such a proposal emerge in relation to Rosehearty school it will be considered carefully by my right hon. Friend.