HC Deb 10 July 1947 vol 439 cc2399-400
1. Mr. Kenneth Lindsay

asked the Minister of Education whether his attention has been drawn to the announcement by the secretary of the Association of Education Committees that the building programme up to 1951 can do little more than provide for the raising of the school-leaving age to 15, the increase in the birth-rate and new schools on housing estates; and if he will make a statement.

The Minister of Education (Mr. Tomlinson)

The educational building programme, like all others, is conditioned by the availability of building labour and materials, particularly steel and timber. I cannot attempt to assess the prospects as far ahead as 1951, but it is already clear that during 1947 and 1948 the greater part of the labour and materials likely to be available for educational building will be absorbed by the provision of the additional school accommodation required as a result of the raising of the compulsory school age, new housing developments and the rise in the birth rate, and by the school meals programme. Other urgent requirements will, of course, continue to be met in so far as the available resources allow.

2. Mr. K. Lindsay

asked the Minister of Education whether he will now give clear directions to local education authorities on the building priorities for the next four years, based on the known increase in child population and on Government policy, so that authorities can shape their plans accordingly, earmark sites and proceed with projects capable of being finished and suitable to their areas, without wasting time and manpower on detailed costs which cannot be accurately measured at the moment.

Mr. Tomlinson

As long ago as February, 1946, my predecessor gave local education authorities a list of the main educational needs, namely, the provision of accommodation for the raising of the compulsory school age, training for industry, training of teachers, school meals, and schools needed to serve new housing estates. At the same time, authorities were invited to proceed with the planning of essential projects outside those categories against the time when building would be possible provided that first priority projects were not impeded by their doing so. More recently, in Circular 143, I have indicated the building programme which I hope to see carried out in 1948. In subsequent years I shall aim at the greatest practicable increase in the volume of educational building, but it is not yet possible to estimate accurately the prospects as far ahead as 1951.

Mr. Lindsay

Would the Minister consider a case I have from a local authority whose plans have been sent back, because they have not given detailed costs?

Mr. Tomlinson

Yes, Sir, I will look into it.

Mr. Gallacher

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are large houses in many parts of the country which cannot be fully occupied because of the impossibility of getting domestic staff, and which might be taken over and turned into schools?

Mr. Tomlinson

As and where practicable, local authorities are already doing that.