HC Deb 08 March 1956 vol 549 cc2279-80
1. Mr. Moss

asked the Minister of Education what educational problems exist at Wilnecote in the constituency of Meriden in the County of Warwick; and what progress has been made and is expected to be made in solving them.

The Minister of Education (Sir David Eccles)

I understand that to meet the needs of this part of the county the Warwickshire local education authority has just added two classrooms at Wilnecote Infants' School, and plan shortly to build a new secondary school.

2. Mr. Moss

asked the Minister of Education what progress has been made in the improvement of educational facilities since June, 1955, at Castle Bromwich and Kingshurst on the Birmingham border, Kingsbury, Hurley, Polesworth and Dordon, where there has been rapid development in the coal mining industry, and at Meriden and Eastern Green; and what progress he anticipates will take place during 1956.

Sir D. Eccles

Since June, 1955, the Warwickshire local education authority has brought into use two new primary schools on the Kingshurst Estate and extensions to the secondary school at Polesworth. I am writing to the hon. Member to give him the details of the authority's plans for the future.

5. Mr. Swingler

asked the Minister of Education what difficulties are being encountered with the project to build a new Catholic school in Church Lane, Wolstanton, in the excepted district of Newcastle-under-Lyme; and what steps are being taken by his Department to assist the Staffordshire education authority to overcome them.

Sir D. Eccles

I hope to be able to approve the plans when a final proposal for the acquisition of the site is submitted to me. I am told that I may expect this within the next fortnight. But I understand that the promoters have not yet completed the bills of quantities or invited tenders.

Mr. Swingler

Is the Minister aware that there has been a delay of several years in the negotiations on this project owing to difficulties in finding a suitable site in an area affected by mining subsidence, that it had been hoped that this project would be included in this year's building programme but that there have been further delays? Would the right hon. Gentleman, therefore, ask his office to give special attention to this project in order that it may be approved speedily when the plans are submitted?

Sir D. Eccles

Yes, Sir, and, as I have told the hon. Gentleman, I hope that within a fortnight the full plans, including those of the site, will be submitted.