§ 30. Mr. Sidney Marshallasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the failure of his Department to allow the necessary materials after the priority certificates have been furnished for the alterations and repairs to Manor House, Purley, for divisional education offices to be carried out, is seriously affecting the proper administration of education in that part of Surrey; and if he will give directions for the materials to be supplied.
§ Mr. BevanThe priority certificates and timber licence necessary for the building materials have now been issued to the county council.
§ Mr. MarshallDoes the Minister appreciate that very frequent delays occur between the approval of a scheme by the Ministry of Education and the receipt of licences from his Ministry? In nearly all cases the alterations are comparatively small, but the delay discourages local education authorities in carrying out their work.
§ Mr. BevanIt very often happens that the reason for the delay is not by any means administrative. It is no use issuing a certificate if the materials are not there. I have to be quite sure that if a certificate 372 is issued those receiving the certificate will have it honoured by the provision of building materials.
§ Mr. MarshallWe often have the assurance that we can have the materials.
§ Mr. BevanThe hon. Member may have the assurance, but my information is slightly more reliable than his.