§ 21. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Education if, in view of the seriousness of the economic situation, she will refuse to sanction the grant of £30,000 for an additional building at Nonnington College, Eastry, Kent.
§ Miss HorsbrughProvision has been made in the 1954–55 building programme for work costing £30,000. Before any expenditure on this work is actually approved, my Department will give careful consideration, in consultation with the Kent local education authority, to the whole project and its cost.
§ Sir W. SmithersWill the Minister bear in mind that as Britain is the one country in the world which is not and cannot become self-supporting, and that all increase in expenditure must impede or destroy our ability to compete in the markets of the world, our first social service must be food? What is the good of children and teachers in schools if they have nothing to eat?
§ Miss HorsbrughI very much hope that under this Government the children will have both schools and food.
§ Mr. BottomleyIs the right hon. Lady aware that there is need for more, not less, education in Kent?