Oral Answers to Questions — Education and Science – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 11 December 1973.
Mr William Price
, Rugby
12:00,
11 December 1973
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many village schools have been closed during the past five years.
Mr Timothy Raison
, Aylesbury
Approval has been given to the closure of 595 village schools in England since January 1969.
Mr William Price
, Rugby
Is that not a thoroughly depressing figure? Is the Minister aware that the Warwickshire County Council is closing numerous village schools in the face of the most determined Opposition from parents? What is the educational justification for closing village schools? Will the hon. Gentleman reconsider his Department's policy, in view of the increasing need for nursery education? Are we going to transport three- and four-year-olds miles around the countryside?
Mr Timothy Raison
, Aylesbury
My right hon. Friend considers each proposal submitted to her on its merits. She takes account of educational considerations as well as local needs and wishes. She must be satisfied that the resources available will be used wisely. That applies nationally and in Warwickshire.
Sir John Hall
, Wycombe
Is my hon. Friend aware that in my Constituency several first-class village schools have been closed in recent years? Does he accept that the attention that can be given to children at such schools is far better and more valuable than the attention given in much larger schools to which the children now have to be sent? Will my right hon. Friend ask local education authorities to consider educational value rather than administrative convenience when taking action of this sort?
Mr Timothy Raison
, Aylesbury
I am not aware of the specific cases to which my hon. Friend refers. I can assure him that close attention is given to these matters by my Department.
Mr Elystan Morgan
, Cardiganshire
Is it not true, despite exhaustive studies made during the past few decades, that throughout Britain there is a complete absence of any hard evidence in support of the contention that the children in these schools suffer educationally in any way? Does he accept that, although there are problems in such schools, the problems are more than compensated for by the fact that the children receive substantial individual attention?
Mr Timothy Raison
, Aylesbury
I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we have considered his second point carefully. However, we must bear in mind that resources can be more usefully applied in some circumstances where schools are merged.
Nicholas Winterton
, Macclesfield
Will my hon. Friend ask his right hon. Friend to set up an inquiry into the problem and to consider especially the problems of the closure of schools in remote rural areas and areas of outstanding environmental beauty? There are particular problems in such areas, and they are underestimated. Will my hon. Friend's Department consider setting up a committee of inquiry immediately to consider these problems?
Mr Timothy Raison
, Aylesbury
I am sure that my right hon. Friend is taking note of the comments which have been made today.
Mr William Price
, Rugby
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the totally unsatisfactory nature of these answers, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.
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