SCHOOL BUILDINGS.

HC Deb 20 July 1939 vol 350 cc703-5

34. Mr. Lipson

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether, when he visits areas where there are schools on the black list, either to open a new school or for some other official purpose, he will arrange to see also some of the schools whose buildings have been condemned by the Board of Education for being below the required standard?

Mr. Lindsay

It is my practice when making educational visits to go out of my way to look at bad schools as well as new ones in order to obtain as complete a picture as possible of educational conditions in the area. Moreover, I invariably call attention in public speeches to any black-listed schools in the areas visited.

Mr. Lipson

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for his reply, may I also ask him whether he does not agree that this is an admirable way in which to create publicity and thus induce more local authorities to take action?

Mr. Lindsay

Yes, Sir.

35. Sir William Jenkins

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that a resolution was passed unanimously at the annual meetings of the Federation of Education Authorities, Wales and Monmouthshire, urging a more vigorous policy with regard to school buildings and the institution forthwith of a fresh inquiry, with a view to the publication of a new and full school buildings black list up to date; and what action does he propose to take to carry out the wishes of the authorities affected?

Mr. Lindsay

I am aware of the resolution referred to, and I hope that the Welsh local education authorities generally will in future pursue a more vigorous policy with regard to school buildings. The premises of public elementary schools in Wales are. regularly inspected by His Majesty's inspectors, and are under review by the authorities themselves in the process of reorganisation. The attention of authorities and managers is constantly being called to the defects observed by His Majesty's inspectors and my Noble Friend has recently warned authorities that they must hasten to remedy these defects, whether the schools are on the black list or not. I believe that this method of tackling the problem will be more effective than the compilation of a new black Hit.

Sir W. Jenkins

How many categories of black-listed schools are there and how are they defined; and when was the last inquiry in connection with black-listed schools?

Mr. Lindsay

In answer to that rather comprehensive supplementary question, I would say that in the present black list, that of 1925, there are three categories. Schools are constantly being removed from the black list, and I hope that in the next two or three years we will get rid of the black-listed schools altogether. It depends entirely on reorganisation.

Sir W. Jenkins

How are they defined?

Mr. Lindsay

There are those which ought to be pulled down; there are those which need fairly extensive alterations and there are those which require minor alterations.

Sir W. Jenkins

Would a school which had no water supply be on the black list; and in which category would it be placed?

Mr. Lindsay

It would certainly be in one of the categories. I would point out that we are spending £250,000 a week on reorganisation—an amount unparalleled by any other Government—and it is idle to say that we are not tackling the problem seriously.

36. Mr. David Adams

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will supply particulars of the number of schools in structures of corrugated iron or other temporary materials, and the length of time for which they have been used for this purpose?

Mr. Lindsay

As I stated in reply to a question by the hon. Member on 13th July the Board have no statistics on this matter and to obtain them would involve a disproportionate amount of labour.

Mr. Adams

Surely information upon this matter must be at the disposal of the Board? If it is not, does not the Minister agree, that the Board ought to be re-constituted?

Mr. Lindsay

The information is not in the hands of the Board and it would involve a great deal of labour to compile it. If the hon. Member is aware of the existence of these buildings to any extent, in any particular place, I wish he would give me information about it.

Mr. Lawson

Will the Minister give special attention to this type of school building which is liable to special heat in the summer and is very cold in the winter?