§ Mr. Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list his powers and the powers of local education authorities in respect of proposals to withdraw funding from or close Church schools.
§ Dr. BoysonWhere a local education authority intends to cease to maintain any voluntary school it must publish proposals for that purpose in accordance with section 12 of the Education Act 1980. These proposals fall to my right hon. Friend to decide; he has no powers to require the closure of any maintained school other than through approving proposals published by the local authority concerned.