HC Deb 13 February 1958 vol 582 cc545-7
10. Mr. Hale

asked the Minister of Education the number of new schools submitted to him for immediate building in the last building programme submitted by the Oldham Corporation; the number of school places to be provided; and the numbers, respectively, for which Ministerial approval was obtained.

Sir E. Boyle

The answer to the first part of the Question is four; to the second part, 1,400; and to the last part, none.

Mr. Hale

Is this not a disgraceful record? Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this decision means that the children of Oldham are still accommodated in out-of-date and virtually condemned schools in grossly overcrowded conditions, that many young children are having to walk two miles through the town to their school past very dangerous crossings, and that local indignation is now so great that it has spread to the adjoining town of Rochdale?

Sir E. Boyle

In answer to the first part of the Question, I entirely agree with the hon. Member that when we have beaten the "bulge" and the pressure of sheer numbers on our schools, there will still be a tremendous job of replacing all-age and unfit schools. Concerning the second part of his Question, there seems to be more enthusiasm for Liberalism in Rochdale than in the Local Government Bill Standing Committee.

11. Mr. Hale

asked the Minister of Education the number of primary schools in the county borough of Oldham still in use which were originally erected prior to 1918; the number of school places for which they were originally provided; and the number of children now accommodated.

Sir E. Boyle

The answer to the first part of the Question is 37; to the second part, 18,700; and to the last part, 9,931.

Mr. Hale

Will the Parliamentary Secretary, who has been good enough to give me that information, study it himself and reconsider his decision about building new schools in the light of the figures he has just given?

Sir E. Boyle

Yes, those figures do need a little study, because they are of little value without studying how some of the schools have been extended and others used partly for other purposes. If the hon. Member wishes, I will certainly write to him further on the subject.