§ Lord Cocks of Hartcliffeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, when the Secretary of State for Education and Employment spoke in Bristol on 22 June, he explained his reasons for agreeing to the closure of Merrywood School, Knowle West, Bristol. [HL3039]
§ The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Baroness Blackstone)My right honourable friend met a delegation in his department116WA prior to the decision being taken on the closure of Merrywood School. He listened carefully to the concerns of those objecting to the proposals before coming to a final decision. On his visit to Bristol on 22 June, he spoke to representatives of those campaigning against the closure of Merrywood School and explained the reasons for his decision. Given in particular the small number of pupils on roll at the school, these reasons were readily understood.
§ Lord Cocks of Hartcliffeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, when the Secretary of State for Education and Employment spoke in Bristol on 22 June, he received any representations against the closure of Merrywood School, Knowle West, Bristol, from the Member of Parliament for Bristol South, or the local Councillors Kelvin Blake and George Micklewright. [HL3040]
§ Baroness BlackstoneGiven an oil spillage on the M.4, it was not possible for the Member of Parliament for Bristol South to be in Bristol with my right honourable friend on 22 June. I am not aware, out of the 300 people who attended the meeting in Bristol, who in particular spoke to my right honourable friend.
§ Lord Cocks of Hartcliffeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether conversations about the closure of Merrywood School, Knowle West, Bristol, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has had with his Parliamentary Private Secretary, the Member of Parliament for Bristol East.[HL3041]
§ Baroness BlackstoneConversations between my right honouarable friend and MPs are personal and private, but I see no reason why my right honourable friend would have discussed with his Parliamentary Private Secretary an issue which does not affect her constituency.
§ Lord Cocks of Hartcliffeasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many times the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has listened to the tape asking him to reconsider his decision to close Merrywood School, Knowle West, Bristol, given to him during his visit to Bristol on 22 June. [HL3042]
§ Baroness BlackstoneThis is not an appropriate Question for me to answer. However, I am aware that my right honourable friend has listened to material produced previously and gave his assurances on 22 June that he would listen to the tape, and thus he will have done so.