§ 22. and 23. Mr. D. Jonesasked the Minister of Education (1) whether she can now make a statement on what action she proposes to take about the sanitary conditions of the Exchange School buildings, West Hartlepool, as revealed in a report of an independent architect, a copy of which was sent to her on 4th March, 1953, who examined the school buildings on 25th February, 1953;
(2) what expenditure she has authorised on the Exchange School buildings, West Hartlepool, since 1st October, 1952; what further expenditure she expects to authorise in the next three months; and what evidence she has that such expenditure will make this building suitable as a primary school.
§ Miss HorsbrughAs I have already informed the hon. Member, those premises cannot be regarded as unfit for use, though they are unsatisfactory in a number of respects. To mitigate the defects, I have authorised improvements to the lighting and heating at an estimated cost of £493. Further expenditure has been incurred on repairs and redecorations. The local education authority have also approved proposals for repairs to the sanitary accommodation, and I have urged that this work should be done quickly.
§ Mr. JonesIs the right hon. Lady aware that the school was abandoned by the local education authority in 1934 as being totally out of place in modern education, that her inspector inspected the school in December and, in a letter dated 3rd March, told her of all the defects, which she has never seen, and yet she has taken the responsibility for continuing the school? Is she also aware that it was examined by an independent architect on 5th March and that he described it as "shocking," and that within the last two 823 weeks it has been examined by a sanitary inspector of the local authority, who has corroborated that?
§ Miss HorsbrughThat is exactly why these repairs and alterations to the sanitary work are now being done.