HC Deb 28 July 1955 vol 544 cc1324-5
12. Mr. Swingler

asked the Minister of Education what changes will be made in the school building programme as a result of the decision on restriction on credit expenditure made by the Government this week.

Sir D. Eccles

As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer said in Tuesday's debate on the economic situation, the programme remains as announced.

Mr. Swingler

We understand that nothing that has at present been approved will be interfered with, but can the Minister give us an assurance that there will be no interference with the momentum of the school building programme? Is he aware of the tremendous harm done at the end of 1951 by the break in the build-up of the school programme; and, for the purposes of long-term planning by the local education authorities, can he give an assurance that there will be no interference with the future of the programme?

Sir D. Eccles

The programme which I have announced is for 1956–57. Local authorities are now in possession of all the information about their forward planning that they normally expect to have. Next year we will consider the following year's programme and we hope it will be no smaller.

Mr. Swingler

Will the Minister give an assurance that the next year's programme will be no less than the programme which he has approved for 1956–57?

Sir D. Eccles

No Government has ever given such an assurance. In one year we give the local authorities the approved programme for the succeeding year. The local authorities know up to April, 1957, what they can do. This time next year we shall do the same thing again.

16. Sir L. Ropner

asked the Minister of Education the estimated expenditure on the school building programme in the West Riding of Yorkshire.

Sir D. Eccles

The West Riding local education authority's school building programme for major projects to be started in 1956–57 will cost about £1½ million.

Sir L. Ropner

Could my right hon. Friend tell us how that figure compares with previous years?

Sir D. Eccles

The previous year for which I have the figure here is 1954–55, and it is £1,200,000. I regret that I have not got the other figures.