§ 23. Mr. SHORTasked the President of the Board of Education whether he has been informed what proposed new schools and additions to existing schools nave been placed upon the postponed list by the Staffordshire County Educational Authority since the issue of Circular 1371 and Memorandum 44?
§ 24. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the President of the Board of Education whether the application to extend the Newcastle-under-Lyme High School has been postponed as a result of the issue of Memorandum 44?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Lord Eustace Percy)With the permission of the hon. Members, I will answer these two questions together. The authority have informed me that they do not propose to proceed, during 1926–27, with the alterations at the Wordsley Council School, Kingswin-ford, the new premises for the Bilston High School (except the purchase of Brueton House and a caretaker's house), the extensions at the Newcastle, Stafford and Wednesbury High Schools, and the completion of the Wolverhampton Technical Institute. On the other hand, I understand that they propose to proceed with the provision of 10 new elementary schools or departments and the enlargement of two others, with new buildings for two secondary schools at Lichfield and Stafford, and with a new building for the Dudley Technical College.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre we to understand from the Noble Lord that a very necessary extension to the first and oldest educational institution in North Staffordshire has been postponed on account of his Circular?
§ Lord E. PERCYI am afraid I do not understand to what institution the right hon. Gentleman refers.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODTo the Newcastle High School, of course.
§ Mr. W. THORNEMay I ask the Noble Lord whether, if a local authority sends in a request to build a new school, he has the power to turn it down?
§ Lord E. PERCYCertainly, I have always the power to approve or disapprove of any expenditure. There always has been that power.