§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the proposed closures of the Harrington county primary and the Harrison Jones county primary schools in Liverpool.
§ Mr. DunnLiverpool education authority's original proposals to cease to maintain these schools were approved on 6 November 1981. On 17 September 1982 the authority published further proposals the effect of which remained the closure of the two schools, but deferred implementation until August 1983. Under the second set of proposals their pupils would be able to transfer, not as originally planned to a new school in St. James road but to the retained Pleasant street school.
622WOn 21 July 1983 my right hon. Friend approved these proposals with the modification, after consultation with the authority in accordance with section 12(6) of the Education Act 1980, that the retained school would only occupy the Pleasant street building on a strictly temporary basis until the authority provided more suitable, permanent premises.
In making this decision my right hon. Friend considered the authority's request formally communicated to the Department in a letter dated 13 July 1983 to defer the implementation of the proposals until September 1984. However, having regard to all the circumstances, including the fact that the authority had placed itself in breach of section 12(9) of the Education Act as regards the implementation of its original proposals, my right hon. Friend concluded that his modified approval of the September 1982 proposals was in the best interests of the pupils and others directly concerned, notwithstanding the proximity of the end of term.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will meet a deputation of parents to discuss the proposed closures of the Harrington county primary and the Harrison Jones county primary schools in Liverpool.