HC Deb 04 February 1960 vol 616 cc1204-5
19. Mrs. Castle

asked the Minister of Education why he has refused permission to the Blackburn education authority to proceed with the building of a new technical and grammar school as proposed in its building programme for 1960–62.

Sir D. Eccles

I sympathise with the hon. Lady's wish to replace this school, but am unable to include the project in a building programme before 1962–63 because others are more urgent.

Mrs. Castle

Is the Minister aware that his own inspectors reported very strongly on the inadequacy of the premises of this school as long ago as 1956, and that the local education authority has been pressing ever since for the inclusion of a new building in its school building programme? Is he aware that Blackburn, which is facing problems of transition from one type of industry to another, cannot meet the challenge of the second industrial revolution without first-class technical education? As the council has plans already for the new school, will the Minister authorise inclusion of those plans in next year's programme so that further delay may be avoided?

Sir D. Eccles

I wish I could. I can say that it is very likely to come in the 1962–63 programme.

Mrs. Castle

Is not the Minister aware that the education committee is totally dissatisfied with having to wait yet another period? This is the whole basis of the argument. The committee has been pressing for this permission for years, and it is asking for immediate action. The committee also points out that county boroughs of similar size in the area are receiving far higher allocations for their school building programme for the next two years and that Blackburn is being discriminated against unfairly.

Sir D. Eccles

I cannot accept that Blackburn is being discriminated against unfairly. If the hon. Lady wishes, I will send her a list of the new schools which have been authorised in the last two years.

Mrs. Castle

On a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.

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