§ 3. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science 745 whether he has now considered the petition sent to him by the parent/teacher association of St. Paul's Primary School in the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames against his refusal to authorise rebuilding work at this school; and whether, in view of the fact that the buildings concerned are nearly 100 years old, overcrowded, out of date, and inadequate, he will now authorise rebuilding to proceed.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsA reply was sent to the parent teacher association on 18th May. It explains why my right hon. Friend was not able to include this school in the 1968–69 major building programme. A further letter from the association has now been received and is being considered.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterDoes not the hon. Lady think that the bringing up to date of a school of this type is entitled to very high priority? Can she give some indication that it is likely to be approved in the near future, or alternatively will she receive a deputation?
§ Mrs. WilliamsI sympathise with the right hon. Gentleman. He will appreciate that there are, and have been for some time, many primary schools in much the same situation. The proportion of the total building programme going to primary schools is now greater than it was in 1966–67. We will certainly consider this for the 1969–70 building programme.