§ 36. Mr. Fenner Brockwayasked the Minister of Education if she is aware that 59 classes in infants' schools in Slough and Eton have between 40 and 44 children, that 14 have between 45 and 49 children, and that one has a class of over 50 children; that 55 classes in junior schools have between 40 and 44 children and 11 between 45 and 49 children; that 10 classes in senior schools have between 40 and 44 children; and if the building of the new schools planned for Slough and Eton can be expedited to meet this overcrowding.
§ Miss HorsbrughYes, Sir. I recognise the importance of completing quickly new schools in this area, and I shall continue to give the authority all possible help in carrying through the substantial school building programmes that I have authorised.
§ Mr. BrockwayWhile expressing appreciation of the promised programme for Slough, may I ask whether the right hon. Lady will look into the question at Eton, where, among the children of ordinary residents, there is the worst case of overcrowding? Can she give an assurance that schools will be available for the children who are coming with the 17,000 people to the London County Council estates?
§ Miss HorsbrughI quite agree that the biggest problem is that of the London County Council estates, but I can tell the hon. Gentleman that seven new schools or extensions of schools have been completed since March, 1950, three are under construction, three are to be started during the present programme year, and six have been included in the local authority's programme for 1954.