HC Deb 08 March 1956 vol 549 cc2289-90
16. Miss Bacon

asked the Minister of Education what will be the effect on the provision of secondary school places of the postponement of part of the school building programme.

Sir D. Eccles

I cannot add to the Answer I gave a week ago to the hon. Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd).

Miss Bacon

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, just at a time when there has been an increase in the number of secondary school places, to postpone the school building programme will prove very serious for the children who will enter the schools in the next few years?

Sir D. Eccles

If that were the result, it would be serious, but I am hopeful that the action I am taking will allow more schools to be built in a shorter time. The present average length of time for building a school is too long, and I am hoping that, through spacing out the programme, we shall reduce the average length of time.

Mr. M. Stewart

Does the Minister realise that the same argument was advanced four years ago and that since then, unfortunately, the average size of classes has increased?

Sir D. Eccles

We have a very large programme, much larger than that in the days of the Labour Party, and we have to see that it is properly spaced out.

Miss Bacon

May we take it that the announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer means a decrease in the number of school places to be provided over the next few years?

Sir D. Eccles

I repeat to the hon. Lady that I am hopeful that the result of the action which I am taking will be more schools completed than there would otherwise be.