§ 15. Mr. R. RICHARDSONasked the President of the Board of Education how many proposals he has received from the County Council of Durham for sanction to the purchase of sites for new schools, for the building of new schools or the subsequent remodelling of existing schools, 2286 and for the purchase of furniture, respectively; how many of such proposals will be sanctioned; and what is the position with regard to the provision of improved school accommodation in the County of Durham as provided for in the Estimates for the current year and in the programme submitted for the triennial period 1927–30?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Duchess of Atholl)My right hon. Friend has received, in connection with the authority's revised forecast of expenditure for the current year proposals covering 19 sites, 14 new schools and 11 remodellings, together with the furniture necessary in some cases. Early in the year my right hon. Friend intimated to the authority that he saw no reason to object to their main building programme, subject, of course, to the consideration of individual items upon details. The financial position has unfortunately been seriously prejudiced by the present industrial difficulties, but, after consultation with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, the President has been able to give definite approval to the purchase of two sites, the building of two new schools and the supply of furniture for two schools, and he expects to be able to approve another new school shortly. The estimated expenditure involved in these proposals is about £70,000, in addition to which the authority's estimates provide for the outlay of about £30,000 upon the completion of work previously sanctioned by the Department. So soon as the financial position allows, my right hon. Friend hopes to proceed with the consideration of other proposals of the authority for the current year and for their programme for 1927–30.