§ 4. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Education what projects were submitted to him by the Education Committee of Newcastle-under-Lyme for the 1959–60 building programme; and what projects he will approve.
§ Sir E. BoyleMy right hon. Friend has approved the start in 1959–60 of one of the four projects submitted and hopes that work may begin on two more in the following year.
§ Mr. SwinglerIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the Education Committee of Newcastle-under-Lyme regards this programme as seriously inadequate? Would he kindly reconsider the situation? Is he aware that there is exceptional overcrowding in some of the schools on the new housing estates in Newcastle-under-Lyme and that the position is very much worse than it is in some other parts of the country? Will he consider that in the light of the fact that the programme has been cut for many years?
§ Sir E. BoyleI know the problems in the hon. Member's area, and he has 1286 raised them on a number of occasions, but I cannot hold out any hope that this can be reviewed. My right hon. Friend's policy is, in the first place, to include in building programmes projects for the increased number of pupils who will be at school in the early 1960s; secondly for the concentration of pupils arising from developments in new housing estates; and lastly, to meet facilities for the teaching of mathematics and science in schools with large numbers of children over 15 years of age. We have to concentrate on those priorities now.