§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if, under the new policy on village school closures, an amalgamation of village schools is to be treated the same as a closure of a village school; if such amalgamations have to be proposed by the LEA to the Secretary of State for approval; and if he will make a statement. [47997]
§ Mr. Byers[holding answer 30 June 1998]: The closure of any school requires the publication of statutory proposals, irrespective of whether the school is to be 268W amalgamated with another school. In the case of a rural school, any such proposals will be called in for decision by the Secretary of State. The presumption will be against closure, although all cases will be considered on their merits, taking into account all relevant factors.