§ 12. Mr. Bowdenasked the Minister of Education under what authority buildings provided under the Physical Training and Recreation Act, 1937, may be used for school purposes.
§ Miss HorsbrughI assume that the hon. Member is referring to the proposed emergency use for school purposes of a community centre in his constituency, about which he wrote to me recently. The centre in question is owned and controlled by the local education authority and it is within their power to allow it to be used for school purposes. If the buildings had been provided by a voluntary organisation with the help of grant under the Physical Training and Recreation Act, 1937, they could be used for school purposes provided that this was not contrary to the trust under which the property was held.
§ Mr. BowdenDoes not the right hon. Lady consider that it is a tragedy that community centres should have to be used for school purposes; if only for a temporary period? Is she aware that had there been a little more foresight school building programmes could have proceeded in accordance with need?
§ Miss HorsbrughYes, but I would point out to the hon. Gentleman that the foresight which could have produced schools this year would be the foresight of the late Government.
§ Mr. StokesThat is why we had so many houses last year.
§ Mr. BowdenIs the right hon. Lady aware that the housing site to be served 1170 by this community centre as a temporary school was started during the time that the present Government have been in office?
§ Miss HorsbrughI do not think the hon. Gentleman is saying that he does not wish to have houses built. There would have been foresight if we were getting the houses and schools we are now getting.
§ Mr. BottomleyCan the right hon. Lady assure us that her foresight will ensure that in future there will be no shortage of school buildings?
§ Miss HorsbrughI hope my foresight is considerable, but I would not go so far as to give that assurance.