§ 10. Brigadier Medlicottasked the Minister of Education the figures of the school-building programme for 1955–56 and also the comparable figures for each of the preceding years from 1949–50 onwards.
§ Sir D. EcclesI cannot say how large the 1955–56 school-building programme will be, 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. As the second part of the Question calls for a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
| VALUE OF MAJOR AND MINOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL PROJECTS APPROVED | |||
| £ million | |||
| Programme | Major Projects | Minor Projects | Total |
| 1949 | 55.1 | 4.0 | 59.1 |
| 1950–51 | 46.5 | 5.1 | 51.6 |
| 1951–52 | 14.2 | 4.8 | 19.0 |
| 1952–53 | 45.75 | 5.55 | 51.3 |
| 1953–54 | 45.3 | 6.1 | 51.4 |
| 1954–55 (estimated) | 48.0 | 6.5 | 54.5 |
§ 15. Mr. Partridgeasked the Minister of Education the number of schools started and completed in the last 12 months with comparisons for previous years since 1945.
§ Sir D. EcclesAs the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. PartridgeWill those figures show the difference in size of the schools started and completed, and show also what follows—the number of school places provided? Will my right hon. Friend say now whether they show a gratifying increase?
§ Sir D. EcclesThe figures relate to the number of schools started and completed, which was what my hon. Friend asked about. Another set of figures relating to the number of places provided in schools started and completed would, I think, be a better guide, and if my hon. Friend cares to put down a Question about that, I will supply him with that set of figures, which will show that we are making good progress.
§ Following is the answer:
| NEW PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ENGLAND AND WALES | |||
| Number of schools | |||
| Period | Started | Completed | |
| Year ending— | |||
| 1st June, 1946 | … | 1 | — |
| 1st June, 1947 | … | 45 | — |
| 1st June, 1948 | … | 275 | 22 |
| 1st June, 1949 | … | 269 | 54 |
| 1st June, 1950 | … | 617 | 196 |
| 1st June, 1951 | … | 547 | 278 |
| 1st June, 1952 | … | 249 | 392 |
| 1st June, 1953 | … | 516 | 535 |
| 1st June, 1954 | … | 478 | 527 |