HC Deb 11 June 1953 vol 516 cc425-7
7. Mr. Swingler

asked the Minister of Education the total of school places created by new building since 1st April, 1945.

Miss Horsbrugh

Between 1945 and 1st February, 1953, 898,380 new school places were provided.

Mr. Swingler

May I first ask the Minister whether she is still confident of reaching the figure of 1,150,000 by the end of this year, and secondly, in view of her well-known satisfaction with the higher rate of the completion of new schools but of the report of the Ministry of the worsened state of affairs in the primary schools, has the time not come to put back the projects which she cut out of the school building programme last year?

Miss Horsbrugh

I am still confident that we shall get and, I think, get more than the 1,150,000 places by the end of 1953.

11. Mr. Swingler

asked the Minister of Education how many primary and secondary schools were under construction at the latest date for which figures are available; and how these figures compare with those of 12 months, and two years, ago.

Miss Horsbrugh

On 31st March last there were 681 primary and 361 secondary schools under construction. Corresponding figures for 1952 were 846 and 278 respectively, and, for 1951, 934 and 280.

Mr. Swingler

In view of these figures, which show a reduction in the number of schools under construction now, and the fact that the right hon. Lady's Department have now issued a report saying that the school building programme is not keeping pace with the rise in the school population and, therefore, under her administration the situation has worsened, will she reconsider the whole programme and, in spite of her optimism or complacency, as the case may be, add some more projects to the school building programme?

Miss Horsbrugh

The hon. Gentleman will be glad to know that we are providing more school places each year. In the year ended 1st February, 1952, there were 159,000 new school places added. The following year, ending February, 1953, the number had gone up to 218,000 and for next year we hope that by February the number will have gone up to 250,000.

Mr. Remnant

Can my right hon. Friend say how many of these schools are to replace derelict or unsuitable existing schools?

Miss Horsbrugh

All these schools which are being built at present are for the increased population or for the removal of the population to new housing areas and new towns.

13. Mr. Swingler

asked the Minister of Education if she will initiate a national inquiry to discover how many local education authorities are at present unable to admit all children to school at the age of five years and to enable her to revise the school building programme so as to overcome this difficulty in the future.

Miss Horsbrugh

No, Sir, At this stag; of affairs it is local action that is needed, and in the few areas concerned I am satisfied that the local education authorities are doing their best to find places for the small number of children still awaiting admission to school.

Mr. Swingler

Is the Minister really satisfied with keeping herself and the House in complete ignorance of the situation concerning the primary schools while children are being refused admission and her Department and the local education authorities are not carrying out their statutory responsibility? How can she shape a proper school building programme without knowing where the real shortages are?

Miss Horsbrugh

I reviewed the building programme on the information we received from the local education authorities as to the number of children for which schools will have to be provided and, as the hon. Gentleman knows, there will be the greatest pressure this year in the infant schools. At present, the children are going into school at five years, in some cases in the term after they become five and not the term before they become five.