§ 16. Mr. LAWSONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education the average cost per place for the building of secondary schools which come under the Board's administration?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Ramsbotham)Since the War, building costs have shown such wide variations and have depended so largely upon particular local factors as well as upon the 2044 size of the school, the method of construction, and the amount of special accommodation provided, that it is not possible to give any reliable general figures.
§ Mr. LAWSONDoes that apply to individual schools?
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMI will give the figures of individual schools if the hon. Member will put down a question.
§ Mr. HICKSDoes the Minister agree that, with building costs down so low, it is time to review the situation?
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMI believe that building costs have decreased.
§ 19. Mr. LAWSONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education the cost per place for the building of the new secondary school in Sunderland?
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMThe final statement of costs of the new premises of the Bede Collegiate Schools, Sunderland, has not yet been received, but on the basis of estimates the cost per place of the buildings will be £94. If the cost of the land, equipment and other incidental expenses are included the cost per place will be £126.
§ Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMSCan the hon. Gentleman say why it costs so much more to build a school than to build a home?