§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) whether the Department of Education will undertake an investigation of the professional, managerial and curricula viability of alternative strategies to the closure of small rural and urban schools;
(2) whether the Department of Education will conduct a full review of the educational needs of rural 556W communities, in consultation with other departments, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and the town and country planning service.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThese issues are matters which I understand are presently the subject of consideration by Education Forum and have been included in a draft policy statement on rural schools which it has prepared. I also understand that Education Forum has referred the draft statement to its constituent organisations for consideration and may be seeking a meeting with my right hon. and noble Friend the Paymaster General to discuss the issues in due course.
The Department of Education already liaises with the planning service and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive when determining the educational needs of any area.