§ 20. Mr. MELLERasked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the shortage of school accommodation on the Long Thornton and Commonside estates, Mitcham; if he is aware that there are some hundred children of school age for whom places cannot be found in the 1283 existing schools; and will he urge the education authority to provide temporary school accommodation pending the erection of permanent schools adequate to meet the needs of this rapidly growing district?
§ Lord E. PERCYI am aware of the shortage of school accommodation in this area, and I understand that the local education authority are proceeding with the provision of such temporary accommodation as they consider necessary pending the erection of permanent schools.
§ Mr. MELLERDoes the Noble Lord know that the local education committee has now for some time been preparing temporary accommodation, but that, week by week, the number of children grows and no temporary accommodation appears?
§ Lord E. PERCYI am in touch with the local authority about this question, and I am doing all that I can. I think the local education authority is fully impressed with the urgency of the state of affairs in this area. I will do all I can to see that proper provision is made.
§ Mr. R. RICHARDSONHow long have the local authority and the Board known of the shortage in this area?
§ Lord E. PERCYPerhaps the hon. Member does not quite realise the position. This is a rapidly growing area, where new houses are being built continuously, and it is quite impossible for the local education authority or the Board to foresee for any considerable time in advance how many houses are going to be built. They are trying to keep up with the development which is taking place here. It is the same in various other parts of the country. I think they are doing their best.