HC Deb 01 November 1956 vol 558 cc1585-6
1. Mr. Swingler

asked the Minister of Education how many new primary and secondary schools have been started in the current building year; and how many, and what proportion, of these schools were included in the 1956–57 building programme.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education (Mr. Dennis Vosper)

Two hundred and forty-three major primary and secondary school projects were started between 1st April and 31st August last, of which 50 were included in the original 1956–57 building programme.

Mr. Swingler

Will the Parliamentary Secretary say whether or not it is a fact that the building programme is running well behind schedule, owing to the fact that a third of the minimum programme for last year was not achieved? Will he state what urgent steps are now being taken by his Ministry, particularly in view of the increasing overcrowding in the classes, to speed up this programme?

Mr. Vosper

I have no evidence that the starts in the period which I have mentioned are in any way less than the starts for a similar period last year. There are now only 137 projects of last year's programme still to be started.

Mr. M. Stewart

Would not the Minister agree that at present more than half of our secondary school children are being taught in classes that are above what is supposed to be the proper maximum size; and, at the present rate of building, does he see any sign of improvement in the next five years?

Mr. Vosper

I would not disagree with the first part of the hon. Member's question, but a large majority of the schools in the current building programme are for secondary school children. But I cannot promise that that will reduce the size of the classes.

12. Mr. Swingler

asked the Minister of Education how many, and which, school projects which were included in the Staffordshire school building programme for 1955–56 have not yet been started.

Mr. Vosper

Two. They are the Quicksands Secondary Modern School in Aldridge and Warslow Secondary Modern School.

Mr. Swingler

As we are nearly halfway through this year's building programme, even two schools in arrear in the building programme is a serious position in Staffordshire. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that one of the problems in recruiting additional teachers in Staffordshire is the shortage of modern school buildings? Will he, therefore, give further assistance to the Staffordshire local authority to enable it to get up to date in its building programme?

Mr. Vosper

I think that if the hon. Gentleman will inquire of this authority he will find that my Department, has not been responsible for this delay. Both these schools will be started shortly. If the hon. Gentleman will put down a Question again in, say, January, I am sure that the answer will be "None."