HC Deb 18 May 1950 vol 475 cc1374-5
25. Mr. Ashton

asked the Minister of Education if when considering the overall school building programme, he will give special consideration to those local education authorities who, in addition to their normal school accommodation problems, are having to provide school places for children on large housing estates erected within their areas by other authorities.

Mr. Tomlinson

I have already taken these special circumstances into consideration in the preparation of the first instalment of the school building programme for 1951.

Mr. Ashton

Is the Minister aware that the schools in five housing estates in the administrative county of Essex have been allotted no less than £620,000 out of a total of £827,000 during the first instalment of the five year programme; and is he satisfied, in the light of those figures, that the county has not been penalised in any way?

Mr. Tomlinson

I am satisfied that that amount of money was necessary to make provision for the children in that area.

Mr. Ashton

Including the whole of the county?

Mr. McAdden

Is the Minister not aware of the considerable dissatisfaction which exists in the county of Essex as a result of the burden which is inflicted upon many village schools in the county, because of the overwhelming priority given to schools necessary for the accommodation of people decanted into Essex by the L.C.C.?

Mr. Tomlinson

I would point out that the children who come into the new housing estates have certainly got to be provided for.