HC Deb 09 December 1954 vol 535 cc1107-8
38. Mr. Swingler

asked the Minister of Education to make a statement on the school-building programme for 1955–56; and how it will compare with the 1954–55 programme.

Sir D. Eccles

The total value of major projects in the 1954–55 school-building programme is about £48 million, and of minor projects about £6½ million. I cannot give corresponding figures for next year as I do not know how much additional work authorities will be ready to undertake for rural reorganisation, or to what extent they will use their freedom to spend what they like on minor projects.

Mr. Swingler

Has the Minister had time to study the decline in the number of schools under construction during the past three years? In view of the apparent new look at the Ministry of Education, can we take it that the building programme for next year will be an improved programme, and that he will now reverse the trend, so that there will be an increase in the number of schools under construction?

Sir D. Eccles

The hon. Gentleman is always interested in schools under construction, but we are interested in performance rather than plans. The number of schools completed has steadily increased, and will continue to increase.

Mr. Swingler

How will the Minister get performance unless he builds the schools?

Sir D. Eccles

It is the speed with which they are constructed which is important. The hon. Gentleman reminds me of someone who measures the strength of a political party by the number of candidates put up for election, and not by the number of seats won.

43. Mr. Swingler

asked the Minister of Education if he will now include the proposed school for handicaped children in the 1955–56 school-building programme for the excepted district of Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Mr. Vosper

My right hon. Friend is still awaiting a reply from the Staffordshire authority, who were asked to reconsider this proposal some time ago.

Mr. Swingler

Is it not a fact that the Staffordshire authority put forward this project in the last proposed building programme, and that the predecessor of the right hon. Gentleman cut it out? Would he not tell the Staffordshire authority to include this project, responsibility for which his Ministry will accept?

Mr. Vosper

The Staffordshire authority has one special school in the current year's programme, and a special school is also authorised for next year's programme. This particular project is one which the authority agreed to reconsider in September this year.