§ 54. Mr. LAMBasked the Minister of Health whether an application made on 2nd April, 1928, by the Staffordshire County Council education authority to the Board of Education for approval of the purchase of a site for a public elementary school at Brettell Lane, Brierley Hill, has been referred to him; has he considered it; and is he aware that delay in sanctioning this purchase 2240 is hindering the scheme for the reorganisation of the Brierley Hill schools?
§ Sir K. WOODThis application has been referred to my right hon. Friend and has been considered. The difficulty is that the land proposed for the school has been acquired, and is now in use, by the district council as a public recreation ground, and cannot be alienated for another purpose except in accordance with statutory provisions. The district council have suggested other land of less extent as an alternative recreation ground, but on present evidence it is not clear that this ground is a satisfactory alternative. My right hon. Friend has directed that a local inquiry be held into the proposal and a decision will be given as soon as possible.