§ 17. Mr. PICKERINGasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware of the condition of the structures in which the 1,000 boys of the Wyggeston Grammar School, Leicester, are being educated; and whether he is willing to sanction the expenditure to provide these boys with the necessary school buildings which were promised several years ago?
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMMy Noble Friend is aware that the premises at present occupied by the boys of the Wyggeston Grammar School are to a large extent of a temporary nature, and that they were not intended to become the permanent home of the school. A large new assembly hall has been erected recently and a pressing need of the school has thus been met. My Noble Friend does not anticipate that 2045 it will be possible in present financial circumstances to sanction expenditure on the erection of new buildings to replace the existing premises.
§ Mr. PICKERINGIs not the hon. Gentleman aware that the present structure is a discarded old Army hospital, that it is ill-ventilated, that the health of the boys is suffering considerably, that parents are refusing to send their boys there during the winter time, and that the boys were persuaded to leave a decent school in order to make room for a further school and have been "sold" in this matter.
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMI am informed that the premises are reasonably suitable for present use and are serving their purpose adequately.
§ Mr. PICKERINGIs the hon. Gentleman satisfied that they are suitable? Would he mind going there himself?