§ 70. Mr. Tomlinsonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether approval can now be given to the scheme of the Norfolk Education Committee for the erection of a 1364 new biology laboratory at the Downham secondary school at Downham Market, in view of the fact that the plans have been approved by the Board, the scheme sanctioned, and the tenders accepted by the local education authority?
Mr. LindsayNo tender for the work had been accepted by the local education authority, and the plans were returned to them on 5th November last, in order to give them the opportunity of reviewing the proposal in the light of the Board's Circular 1464.
§ Mr. TomlinsonWere the plans not sent back to them and returned to the Board a fortnight before the circular was sent out?
Mr. LindsayI will make careful inquiry into those facts, but the tender was not accepted, and the Board must have the authority's observations before coming to a decision. The matter will be dealt with very sympathetically.
§ Mr. TomlinsonWill the hon. Gentleman keep in mind that this school is already overcrowded, by the Board's standards?
§ 71. Mr. Tomlinsonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what precisely is the evidence required by the Board to prove that conditions in secondary schools are detrimental to the health of the students?
Mr. LindsayBefore deciding whether conditions in a secondary school are detrimental to the health of the students, the Board require a report from the school medical officer, which is then considered in the light of all the circumstances, and in certain cases after consultation with one of the Board's own medical officers.
§ Mr. TomlinsonIf overcrowding, in the opinion of the school medical officer, is detrimental to health, will that be looked upon as evidence?