§ 32. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Education what further progress has been made toward securing adequate accommodation for the school population in Essex during 1948 and thereafter; to what extent huts will be provided and are to be made available to the Essex Education Committee; and what is the estimated in crease of school population in Essex for 1948 compared with 1946.
§ Mr. TomlinsonAccommodation under the scheme for raising the school-leaving age will provide 244 class or practical rooms. In addition to this and other temporary hut accommodation, instalments of three new schools are in course of erection, plans of nine others have been approved, and plans of two more are being considered by the Ministry. The primary and secondary school population in Essex totalled 171,780 in January, 1946, and is expected to rise to about 187,000 by September, 1948, as a result 1384 of changes in the birthrate and in the school age. Housing developments will cause a further rise, and an instalment of the additional school accommodation needed on this account has been included in the authority's immediate building programme.
§ Mr. SorensenIs the Minister aware that despite the earlier part of his answer, the Essex education authority is extremely perturbed? Has he not been able in some measure to allay their fears and overcome their difficulties?
§ Mr. TomlinsonI think so, and I am anxious that the perturbation should find expression in acceleration.
§ Mr. DribergIn view of the special difficulties of accommodation in the next year or two, would my right hon. Friend ask the education committee to consider modifying or delaying their rather drastic policy of closing down and concentrating small village schools, except where such schools are grossly obsolete and insanitary?
§ Mr. TomlinsonI do not think any school will be, closed down until extra provision has been made to accommodate the children.