asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, in the light of his decisions on secondary school reorganisation in Manchester and Croydon, he has given any advice to Wiltshire county council during the framing of its proposals for the future of secondary education in Swindon.

No. The authority will have been aware, however, of the policies set out in the draft circular "Statutory Proposals for Secondary Schools and Falling Rolls".

asked e Secretary of State for Education and Science to what extent he takes financial considerations into account in taking decisions on the reorganisation of secondary education and the provision of sixth form education.

My right hon. Friend's primary concern is always with the educational merits of statutory proposals. The extent to which account is taken of other factors, including financial considerations, depends on the circumstances of the individual case.