New Schools (Hansard, 26 June 1952)

§ 5. Mr. Swingler
asked the Minister of Education how many new schools, stating primary and secondary schools separately, are at present being built in Staffordshire, compared with the number being built on 31st December, 1951.

§ Miss Horsbrugh
On 30th April last there were 19 primary and one secondary schools under construction in Staffordshire. The comparable figures for 31st December were 23 and one, respectively.

§ Mr. Swingler
Is the Minister satisfied with the progress being made in Staffordshire, and is she thoroughly assured that her limited, revised building programme will be achieved this year?

§ Miss Horsbrugh
Yes, I think it ought to be. More schools were completed at the date to which the hon. Member has referred, and I have no reason to think that the number of places which the programme was calculated to provide will not be provided.

§ 6. Mr. Swingler
asked the Minister of Education how many new schools, stating primary and secondary schools separately, are at present being built in England and Wales; how these figures compare with those for 31st December, 1951; and if she is satisfied with the progress of the building programme.

§ Miss Horsbrugh
At the end of 1951, 854 new primary and 276 new secondary schools were under construction. The comparable figures for the end of April were 804 and 275. I am satisfied that at the present rate of progress the 1,150,000 places needed by the end of 1953 will be available.

§ Mr. Swingler
Is the Minister aware that the progress made during the past nine months is only one-fifth of what was done in the previous nine months? Is she further aware, having regard to the proposed recruitment, that, on her own figures, her programme is at least 200,000 short of the required places?

§ Miss Horsbrugh
No, I am not aware that the programme is fully 200,000 short. If the hon. Gentleman would care to see me at any time, or write to me explaining how he bases his figures, I shall be glad to look into them. However, when we are here talking of schools under construction, I would point out that I am more anxious to see that the building programme is not overloaded and to get the schools quickly than to have too many under construction and too few completed.

§ Mr. Swingler
Is the Minister not aware that she has told me in answers 2411 to Questions that the increase in the number of children on the school rolls by the end of next year will be 1,350,000 and not 1,150,000, and that therefore her figure for the new places to be provided by the building programme must be at least 200,000 short?

§ Miss Horsbrugh
No, if the hon. Gentleman will look at this, he will see that it is not nearly as simple as that. We have to take into account both the new schools to be provided in the new housing areas, where there are no schools, and the places that are left in the schools from which the children have to come. It is a very complicated matter, and I am willing to explain to him how the calculation is made. The calculation is exactly the same as that made by my precedessor. It works out at 1,150,000 places required, and under this programme we should have them.