§ 21. Mr. HARRISasked the President of the Board of Education how many local education authorities have furnished the Board with programmes of educational work for three-year periods or for any other period; in how many cases have the Board approved of such schemes in their entirety; in how many cases has there been substantial approval except on points of detail; and in how many cases have the Board disapproved of items in such programmes?
Duchess of ATHOLLProgrammes covering three or more years have now been received from 312 authorities. In the case of 220 authorities my right hon. Friend has approved, in principle, the bulk of the proposals for capital outlay in the first year. In 56 of these cases individual items which appeared to be 2027 unsuitable or to require further consideration were excepted. In 62 cases no capital projects requiring his approval were provided for in the first year, and in nine cases the financial position of the authority has made it impossible for him to give an immediate approval to their proposals. The remaining 21 programmes are receiving oonsideration.
§ Mr. SHEPHERDWill the Noble Lady explain what is meant by programmes of educational work? Does it mean work connected with teaching, or with financial expenditure?
§ Mr. R. MORRISONDoes the reply mean, in effect, that in those districts where the financial position is bad the children who are unfortunate enough to have to live in them will have to suffer because of the financial position not being satisfactory to the Board?
Duchess of ATHOLLIt merely means that any new capital projects, any new capital expenditure, will have to be discussed.