HC Deb 10 February 1947 vol 433 cc1361-2
16. Mr. Kenneth Lindsay

asked the Minister of Education how many of the temporary H.O.R.S.A. huts have now been erected; and how many it is anticipated will be completed by 1st April and 1st September, respectively.

Mr. Tomlinson

Several hundred H.O.R.S.A. huts are now virtually complete, except for certain components in particularly short supply, and approximately 60 rooms are finally completed. No additional accommodation in H.O.R.S.A. hutting will he required by 1st April. As I indicated last week to the hon. Member for Maidstone (Mr. Bossom), every effort is being made to complete the total, namely, 2,545 classrooms and 1,081 practical rooms required by 1st September. 1947.

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

Could the right hon. Gentleman say what a H.O.R.S.A. hut is?

Mr. Tomlinson

These are the huts that are being provided under the scheme to enable the age to be raised.

Mr. Bossom

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the huts which are not finished, but are waiting for accessories, are capable of being used, or whether they will have to be completed before being capable of being used?

Mr. Tomlinson

They may be capable of being used, but, obviously, they can be used to better advantage when all the components are in. We are pressing the Department concerned to provide the components.