HC Deb 10 February 1947 vol 433 cc1362-3
18. Mr. K. Lindsay

asked the Minister of Education whether, in view of the fact that the contemplated building programme for 1947, summarised in Circular 134, makes no reference to reduction in the size of classes and large numbers of young children will enter primary schools this year, he will now revise that programme.

Mr. Tomlinson

Reduction in the size of classes depends largely on the provision of new accommodation, and, for the present, this has to be restricted to the categories set out in paragraph 4 of Circular 134. These include the provision of new schools to meet housing developments and of additional classrooms to prevent serious overcrowding.

Mr. Lindsay

Will my right hon. Friend, at any rate, give it the second priority, after getting ready the huts necessary for raising the school leaving age?

Mr. Tomlinson

I do not know about the second priority. With regard to the equally important priority which has been given, so far as housing schemes are concerned, that will assist to the extent that the children from overcrowded areas may be moving into the new housing centres.

Mr. R. A. Butler

Am I to understand I the right hon. Gentleman as saying that the shortage of teachers is no impediment to reducing the size of classes, and that the difficulty is solely due to the lack of buildings?

Mr. Tomlinson

I would not say that, but with the number of teachers in training and who are likely to be available in the near future, buildings will be the limiting factor, rather than teachers.

Mr. Butler

Does not the Minister remember that, in the period of evacuation, every sort of building was obtained by the education authorities in which to house the children for school purposes, and could he not, if he has the teachers, make a real attempt to reduce the size of classes by taking every possible building?

Mr. Tomlinson

Where buildings are available, I hope to do that.

Major Guy Lloyd

Is it not a fact that the only buildings which are going to be available are the stables referred to in a previous Question?