HC Deb 12 April 1988 vol 131 cc14-5W
Mr. Wells

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give the number of local education authority-supported primary and secondary schools which have submitted proposals for school closures or mergers in each year under the provisions of the Education Act 1980; how many of these schools actually closed or merged; how many of these schools were not closed or merged; what was the average length of time from the submission of the proposal for closure or merger until he either approved, modified, or rejected the proposals; what was the shortest period and what was the longest period; and how many proposals have not yet received a reply.

Mr. Dunn

In the period from 1980 to 1987, 1,192 primary and 418 secondary schools were approved for closure as a result of proposals published by local education authorities under section 12 of the Education Act 1980 which were either approved by my right hon. Friend or his predecessors or determined by the local education authorities. In the same period my right hon. Friend or his predecessors rejected proposals which would have resulted in the closure of a further 57 primary and 93 secondary schools. Details are given in the table. Local education authorities have a statutory duty to implement all such proposals which have been approved or determined.

Information on the average time taken to reach decisions on school closure proposals is not available in the form requested. In 1987 the average time taken to decide all proposals under sections 12 to 15 of the Education Act 1980 which came before my right hon. Friend was 7.1 months. My right hon. Friend is currently considering 84 proposals by local education authorities to cease to maintain schools.

(a) provision for statemented pupils in special schools, (d) provision for statemented children in non-special schools, (c) provision and administration of facilities for pupils with learning difficulties, (d) use of boarding establishments of all types which serve the needs of children from more than one London borough, (e) the use, funding and administration of all premises currently engaged in purchasing, preparation and holding of learning materials, books and other equipment, or their maintenance and distribution, and (f) a general and special Inspectorate of Schools.

Mr. Dunn

The Department will be issuing draft guidance on the preparation of development plans shortly. This will provide a basis for discussion with the inner London councils of subjects such as those mentioned by the hon. Member. Members of Her Majesty's inspectorate will be closely involved in these discussions.

Mr. Spearing

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will seek to obtain and publish the views of(a) the Sports Council, (b) the Greater London and South Eastern Sports Council, and (c) governing bodies or national representative bodies of all sports and recreational facilities presently available within the Inner London education authority area, on the retention of the standards and range of facilities for all such activities for school pupils and others after the proposed abolition of the Inner London education authority.

Mr. Dunn

This is one of the subjects the Department will wish to discuss with the inner London councils over the coming months as the councils draw up their development plans. Any representations by organisations such as those mentioned by the hon. Member would of course be taken into account in those discussions.

Mr. Spearing

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, in the light of the proposed abolition of the Inner London education authority, he will seek to obtain and publish the views, in respect of the teaching, appreciation of, and opportunities for, performance of music, together with supply of instruments and specialist advice relating thereto, of(a) the boards or presidents of the Royal Academy and Royal College of Music, respectively, (b) the Council for Music Education and Training, (c) Her Majesty's Service Inspectors of Music in Schools and (d) the Master of the Queen's Music, as to the best means of retaining, or improving, the standards achieved and opportunities currently available.

Mr. Jackson

The Department will seek to discuss with the inner London councils and others with an interest in this subject the best arrangements for securing high quality music provision in inner London. Any representations by organisations and individuals such as those mentioned by the hon. Member would of course be taken into account in those discussions.