asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will now rescind his decision to close the aided school, Cefn Muriadog, Clwyd, at the end of the current term instaed of at the end of the current academic year, as was originally proposed.

No. My right hon. and learned Friend earlier this year approved a proposal by Clwyd local education authority to cease to maintain this school at the end of the last academic year. The authority sought his agreement to postpone the closure in order to give parents and pupils more time to make alternative arrangements. My right hon. and learned Friend has no power under the Education Act 1944 to rescind his decision but has told the authority that he would raise no objection to its postponing closure to the end of the present term.