§ 39. Mr. Jannerasked the Minister of Education what advice she has now given to local education authorities about the rebuilding or improvement of slum schools.
§ Miss HorsbrughAuthorities remain free to use for the improvement of old schools a substantial proportion of the resources allocated to them for carrying out minor capital works, but, under present conditions, I cannot authorise them to carry out major building projects designed to replace unsatisfactory premises.
§ Mr. JannerIs the Minister not aware that no real effort is being made by the Government at all in this matter, and that there should be a larger allocation for this purpose? How can she tolerate such conditions as exist when school rooms are described as "zoos" and school playgrounds as "squelching quagmires" or "dust baths"?
§ Miss HorsbrughYes, but the best way of dealing with this, as I think the hon. Gentleman will agree, is to build more quickly more new schools, and that has been done in the last two years at a greater rate than ever before.