§ 41. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Education the number of schools notified to him as being required in 1955 by local 1128 education authorities in the country; and how many were approved by his Department.
§ The Minister of Education (Sir David Eccles)Local education authorities differ markedly in the realism which they apply to their proposals. A considerable number of the projects put forward fell outside the present building policy and could not therefore be considered as urgent. Of the 1,274 proposed, 824 were included in the 1955–56 programme.
§ Mr. AwberyAre we to take it from the Minister that his policy is and will be to ask local authorities what their requirements are for the coming year and then to proceed to reduce them by from 20 to 25 per cent. every year?
§ Sir D. EcclesThe local authorities know quite well that, for instance, a secondary school for reorganisation in a city is not within the building policy; but none the less they put that project forward. One day, we will be able to build that school, but not at present.