§ 17. Sir T. Mooreasked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent the building of school premises in Scotland will be delayed as a result of the restrictions on capital expenditure imposed by the Government.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State. for Scotland (Mr. T. Fraser)The restrictions of the Educational Building Programme outlined in the White Paper on Capital Investment in 1948 apply mainly to major proposals for nursery schools, community centres, adult education centres and youth clubs. They will not, however, delay the building of school premises of the kind most urgently required, such as those to provide accommodation made necessary by the raising of the school-leaving age, the increased birth rate and new housing developments. In fact, the scale of expenditure envisaged permits more rapid progress.
§ Sir T. MooreIn view of the deplorable housing situation in Scotland today, why did the Minister agree to any reduction in capital expenditure, which is so essential?
§ Mr. FraserThat is quite another question.