§ 25. Mr. Fitchasked the Minister of Education when he expects to announce the education building programme for the years 1962–63 and 1963–64; and by what amount he estimates the total available for each of these years will exceed the amount available for educational building during the current year.
§ Sir D. EcclesI have just invited local education authorities to make proposals 1207 for the 1962–63 school building programme. I hope to announce the programme in the summer. In accordance with the White Paper of December, 1958, the total available for the three years 1962–65 will be £185 million in comparison with £115 million for the two preceding years.
§ Mr. FitchWhile thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask whether he recalls that last December he sent a letter to the Mayor of Wigan asking him to support the speeding up of the school building programme? Does he not agree that if local authorities are to plan effectively for the next four or five years they must know how much money they can spend? Letter-writing to the mayor may be a pleasant occupation but money would be far more effective.
§ Sir D. EcclesI saw the representatives of the local authorities' associations yesterday as a result of the letter to which the hon. Member referred. I told them that I was quite ready for them to discuss with me the main projects which they want for 1963–64. They will, therefore, get the best part of three years' notice if this procedure is adopted.
§ Mr. GreenwoodWill these programmes include buildings for Youth Service purposes on the lines envisaged by the Albemarle Report?
§ Sir D. EcclesNo. This Answer refers only to school building.