§ 43. Mr. Crouchasked the Minister of Education how much money was spent on new schools in the county of Dorset in the years 1950 and 1953; how much she estimates is to be spent in 1954; and the number of places provided in each year.
§ Miss HorsbrughThe value of work done on new primary and secondary schools in Dorset during 1950 was about £145,000,and during 1953 about £179,000. The number of places taken into use in new schools was 900 in each of these years. I cannot make an exact forecast for 1954, but I expect that both the value of work done and the number of places brought into use will be higher than in 1953.
§ Mr. CrouchMight I thank my right hon. Friend for that information, which will discount the stories which run around to the effect that she has been spending less money on new schools than her predecessor did?
§ Miss HorsbrughAnyone who cares to look at the facts will know that that is not true.
§ Miss BaconWill the right hon. Lady define the term "work done"?
§ Miss Horsbrugh"Work done" covers the portions of building work which have actually been completed. As the hon. Lady knows, while a school is being built payments are made in instalments as certain parts of the work are done. I am glad to say that more work has been done during the last two years than ever before.