§ 30. Sir Frank Sandersonasked the Minister of Education whether she will state the order of priority in introducing the projected developments envisaged in the Education Act, 1944.
§ Miss WilkinsonSo far as developments involve building, the tasks of immediate urgency over the whole field are the provision of accommodation for the raising of the compulsory school age, training for industry, training of teachers, school meals and schools to serve new housing. Outside this emergency programme, the most urgent task in the field of primary and secondary education, apart from the replacement of bomb-damaged or insanitary premises, is to proceed with the reorganisation of secondary schools, and in the field of further education the introduction of county colleges and the development of adult education.
§ Commander MaitlandCan the right hon. Lady give an assurance to the House that rural areas will get the same priority and treatment as town areas?
§ Miss WilkinsonI am giving very careful attention to the whole problem of the rural areas, and we are glad to note the way in which the rural education authorities are coming forward in this matter.