HC Deb 30 July 1953 vol 518 cc1521-2
23. Mr. Morley

asked the Minister of Education if she has now decided to increase the amount that local education authorities may spend on minor building projects; and if she will make a statement.

Miss Horsbrugh

I am not yet in a position to tell local education authorities what will be their permitted allocations for minor building works for the coming year.

Mr. Morley

Can the Minister say how many local authorities have applied for sanction for increased expenditure upon minor building works, and in how many cases she has agreed to increased expenditure?

Miss Horsbrugh

The minor works expenditure is discussed in the autumn. We are still dealing with the major works. I can tell the hon. Member that there was an increase in the current year; it is up to £5 million. Last year, it was £4 million and the year before £3 million. I have increased the allocation in each of the last two years, and I shall be discussing with the authorities in the autumn the amount for minor works.

24. Mr. Morley

asked the Minister of Education if she has now decided to urge local education authorities to carry out more work of maintaining, repairing and bringing up-to-date the older schools.

Miss Horsbrugh

So far as maintenance and repairs are concerned, I do not think it necessary to add anything to what has been said in my Department's reply to the Select Committee on Estimates—published as their Tenth Report. So far as capital improvements are concerned, I would refer to the reply which I have just given the hon. Member.

Mr. Morley

Is it not a fact that Her Majesty's Inspectors, in their reports on schools, very frequently strongly criticise the school buildings? When the right hon. Lady receives such a report what action does she take on it?

Miss Horsbrugh

Certain action has been taken, and as I have said in my reply, and as was stated in the reply to the Select Committee, if I find that local authorities are not doing what they are responsible for doing—keeping their schools in proper repair—I shall not hesitate to take further action.

Mr. Morley

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

37. Mr. Morley

asked the Minister of Education if, in view of the Report of the Select Committee on Estimates on schools, she is arranging for a greater allocation of building resources for schools in the coming year.

Miss Horsbrugh

As my detailed discussions with local education authorities are not complete, I cannot yet say what will be the total volume of school building work that I shall be able to authorise for getting started in 1954–55. I can, however, already say that it will be a larger total than was authorised for starting in 1953–54.

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