HC Deb 28 January 1954 vol 522 cc1942-3
15. Mr. Harold Davies

asked the Minister of Education what progress has now been made in providing a new secondary modern school for Biddulph, Staffordshire; and whether agreement has been reached about the site

Miss Horsbrugh

A secondary modern school for 300 pupils in Biddulph has been included in the 1954–55 building programme. The local education authority has not yet submitted any site proposal to me.

Mr. Davies

While thanking the right hon. Lady for that answer, may I ask whether she herself will help to expedite the choice of site? Is she aware that there is much discussion at present, I understand, because the Ministry of Agriculture is objecting to an alternative site—a site which is not suffering from mining subsidence?

Miss Horsbrugh

My information is that the authority has a site in mind, but is awaiting the mineral valuer's report on it.

16. Mr. Harold Davies

asked the Minister of Education whether the plans and site are now ready for the new school at Weston Coyney, Cheadle, Stafford shire; and when the school is likely to be completed

Miss Horsbrugh

I approved both the site and the plans for an infants school at Weston Coyney last November and building is expected to start within three weeks. In addition, there is a proposal to build a junior school there as part of the Staffordshire local education authority's approved building programme for 1953–54. The local education authority has made a compulsory purchase order on a site for this school and I now have it under consideration. It is too early to say when either school will be completed.

Mr. Davies

Again, may I thank the right hon. Lady for that concession to this part of North Staffordshire? Will she use all her energies to push ahead with this scheme, because some hundreds of miners' houses are being built in this area?

Miss Horsbrugh

I realise that, and I will certainly help in every way I can.