§ 29. Mr. Abseasked the Minister of Education whether he will review the cuts made by his Department in the school-building programme for 1960 to 1962 of the Monmouthshire County Council; and whether he is aware that the proposed cuts will result in there being no places in 1963 for more than 500 children of primary school age in Cwmbran New Town.
§ Sir D. EcclesI am prepared to consider the inclusion of two additional projects in the major school building programme of the Monmouthshire Local Education Authority, when the proposals reach tender stage, in order to meet any possible deficiency of primary school accommodation in the Cwmbran new town area.
§ Mr. AbseDoes not the Minister realise that delaying the matter for the time which he has suggested inevitably means that the council is unable to plan effectively? In view of the fact that it is intended to build 1,500 houses in this area of Cwmbran in the next three years, does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that the situation will be desperate unless a firm decision is taken now?
§ Sir D. EcclesI thought that I had given the hon. Member a very generous Answer. I said that as soon as these proposals reach tender stage I will consider putting them in the programme.