§ 18. Mr. Dyeasked the Minister of Education how many county educational authorities will have completed their school building programme so that secondary modern education is available to all their children for whom it is intended by 1960; and in how many counties their schemes will be incomplete by that date.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydFourteen and 49.
§ 19. Mr. Dyeasked the Minister of Education what effect the recent decision of the Government to retard the reorganisation of education in rural areas will have upon the programme of modern secondary school building in Norfolk.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydThe building of two schools is being deferred.
§ Mr. DyeDoes not the right hon. Gentleman recognise that deferment of the building of these schools prevents a number of children in that area from having the advantage of secondary education and that a further deferment will create a still worse disadvantage?
§ Mr. LloydThat is inevitable in the process of the delay of this programme. While, of course, I very much regret the delay, progress has been made in Norfolk. Four schools have already been completed, seven are under construction, and one will be started in 1958–59.
§ Mr. M. StewartDo not the terms of the answer to Question No. 18 show that the kind of action wanted from the Government, if any, is one which would have expedited rather than retarded the programme in Norfolk?
§ Mr. LloydSurely that question applies to the whole field of investment. It is not for me at this moment to enter into that general question. We know that it is necessary slightly to slow down the rate of expansion.
§ Mr. StewartThe right hon. Gentleman says that it is not for him at this moment to enter into the general question. When does he feel that he will be in a sufficiently established position to raise that question with his colleagues?
§ 20. Mr. Dyeasked the Minister of Education his estimate of the number of children who will be taught in unreorganised schools in Norfolk when the secondary modern schools, at present being built, are completed; and what proportion this is of the total school population.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydAbout 2,200, or about one-ninth of the seniors.
§ Mr. DyeDoes not the Minister recognise that deferment of the building of these schools at this particular time will cause in the future an undue burden to be laid on the local authorities when they have to find the money for these schools out of the block grant?