§ 66. Mr. Loftusasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education, why the Board have prohibited the provision of separate secondary schools for boys and girls in Lowestoft, in view of the fact that His Majesty's inspectors have made very adverse reports on the accommodation at the existing school and, further, that in 1924 the acquisition of land for the erection of a separate school was authorised and part of the building actually commenced; and also in view of the fact that the East Suffolk County Council approved the proposals for the two secondary schools at Lowestoft by a very large majority?
Mr. LindsayThe Board have informed the local education authority that they will entertain proposals for adapting and extending the existing Lowestoft secondary school, so as to meet the criticisms of His Majesty's inspectors and to provide the extra accommodation required at the present time. In view of the additional expenditure involved in providing two separate schools and the doubt whether the new school for girls could be justified by the number of qualified pupils requiring places, the Board have not felt 2622 justified under the terms of Circular 1464, in agreeing to the scheme for two separate schools at the present time
§ Mr. LoftusIs my hon. Friend aware that the Board quite recently insisted on the separation of boys and girls in the last built senior central school in Lowestoft? Is he further aware that the whole question of the cost of separate schools was discussed at a meeting of the local authority, the East Suffolk County Council, at which I was present and that the arguments in favour—
Mr. LindsayI am aware of the situation generally. Alternative schemes were put before the authorities by His Majesty's inspector, and this is one of them, and because it is £20,000 cheaper, and because there is not the necessity to provide for further population, we think it wiser to go on with this scheme.
§ Mr. LoftusDoes that answer mean that the Board are prepared to override the opinion of the local authority, the reports of their own inspectors and the opinion held until recently by the Board themselves?
Mr. LindsayI must make it clear to my hon. Friend that we have not over-riden anybody. There were two alternative schemes, and they have chosen, admittedly, the cheaper scheme, in view of the present circumstances. They are remedying the defects in this school and they are not providing an additional school, because it was not felt that the number of girls warranted it.
§ Mr. TomlinsonAre we to assume from the answer that the Lowestoft Education Committee have put up a scheme to the Board which they cannot man with children?
§ Mr. TomlinsonWell, it is plain what I meant.
Mr. LindsayIt was a matter of grave doubt in connection with the original scheme—this matter arose two years ago —whether there would be a sufficient number of girls to fill the second school and now that it is quite clear that there will not be they have chosen the cheaper scheme.
§ Mr. TomlinsonI should like to clear up a misunderstanding, because —
§ Mr. Speakerrose—