HC Deb 18 July 1957 vol 573 cc1314-5
8. Mr. Swingler

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education to what extent the secondary school building programme still lags behind the basic needs of the children.

Sir E. Boyle

The provision of Secondary school places is in general keeping pace with the growth in the number of senior pupils.

Mr. Swingler

Would the hon. Gentleman make a tour of the country to check on this? Is he aware that in many parts of the country secondary schools are terribly overcrowded and children are being taught in classes of over 40 and 50? Is he aware that there are very grave discrepancies between proposals made to the Ministry by the local authorities and the number that the Minister approves? Since there are unemployed building workers in the country, will the hon. Gentleman seriously consider accelerating this building programme?

Sir E. Boyle

The hon. Member has another Question on this theme. In 1956 the number of school pupils increased by 120,000. The number of school places increased by 130,000, and over 300,000 secondary school places are at present under construction.