§ Lord Cocks of Hartcliffeasked Her Majesty's Government:
What representations they have received from elected representatives regarding the proposed closure of Merrywood school, Bristol; when these were made; and by whom. [HL1563]
§ The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Baroness Blackstone)The Member of Parliament for Bristol South, Dawn Primarolo, led a delegation opposed to the closure proposals to discuss the case with the Secretary of State and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for School Standards in November 1999 and has further discussed the case with Ministers at other times. Adrian Becker, the Chair of Bristol City Council Education Committee, wrote to the Secretary of State supporting the closure and the development of an education park in Knowle in January this year.