§ 15. Mr. Chapmanasked the Minister of Education how far the proposed embargo on new building will cause a short 1695 age of school places, particularly for the 14- to 15-year age group; and what steps she proposes to take to remedy this difficulty.
§ Miss HorsbrughIt is not yet possible to say how the measures announced on 7th November by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will affect the rate at which new school places are brought into use.
§ Mr. ChapmanWould the right hon. Lady give an assurance, presuming there will be difficulties, that she will not meet the difficulties by lowering the school-leaving age back to 14?
§ Miss HorsbrughIt would be a pity if I began to argue now on a hypothetical supposition that the school-building programme will not be carried out. If that proved to be the case, we could perhaps consider all the factors before coming to a conclusion.
§ Mr. Douglas JayIs it or is it not a fact that in the London area no starting dates are to be allowed for at least three months? If so, does the right hon. Lady realise that that means a further increase in the size of classes, which is already much too high?
§ Miss HorsbrughAs to the starting dates, we can take it that some of the work that has already begun may even be finished more quickly. We are examining the whole situation as to the number of children who will be coming to the schools and the number of places that we can provide in time.
§ Mr. ChapmanDoes the right hon. Lady's reply mean that she does not rule out the possibility of lowering the school-leaving age back to 14?
§ Miss HorsbrughMy original reply was that it is not possible to say what measures we could take until after the review which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer said he was undertaking.
§ Mr. ChapmanIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this subject again.