§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools will require building work to bring them up to the standard required by the 1981 school premises regulations; and if the enforcement of these regulations will lead to the closure of any village schools.
§ Mr. DunnThe information sought in the first part of the question is not available centrally. It is for individual local education authorities to assess the implications of the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1981 for the schools that they maintain. Any proposal by an authority to cease to maintain a school for any reason must be published by the authority in statutory form, giving an opportunity for objections, and may require the approval of my right hon. Friend, under the provisions of section 12 of the Education Act 1980.