THE Peel Brow school controversy is going all the way to Parliament in an attempt to get some answers.

Governors at the Ramsbottom primary school have once more refused to reveal the results of an inquiry into head teacher Mr Mike Duce, who had been suspended over allegations of exam irregularities.

Now, local MP David Chaytor is to ask questions in the House of Commons next week, saying that there are "very important principles at stake".

The school reinstated Mr Duce earlier this month following a six-month investigation by council education bosses, who scrubbed the results of a final year maths test.

But neither the school's governing body nor the council will say whether he has been cleared of any wrong-doing. Parents were merely told that the investigation had been thorough, and the situation at the school would be monitored.

Mr Chaytor wrote to Ms Barbara Jack, the chairman of the school's governing body, saying it was vital that the results of the inquiry be made public.

He says she will not agree to publish the findings, although she is taking further advice from the council's personnel department on the matter.

"I am very much aware of the great sensitivities and the huge difficulties that the governors are working under," said Mr Chaytor, MP for Bury North. "I am grateful that the chairman of governors has promised that she will seek further advice to see what she can make public. I look forward to a further statement.

"However, this matter is of such importance to my constituents and especially parents of children at the school. It raises issues of national significance relating to the governors' responsibilities for staffing and disciplinary matters, and the integrity of the Key Stage 2 tests across the country.

"I intend to raise this matter in Parliament next week and to ask the Secretary of State for education directly for her views of the situation at Peel Brow school."