§ 1. Mr. Albuasked the Minister of Education what steps he is taking to improve the provision of science laboratories in grammar schools and secondary modern schools.
§ The Minister of Education (Sir David Eccles)A total of about £5 million will be spent in the 1960–61 and 1961–62 major building programmes to improve laboratory accommodation in existing schools; in addition, new schools have the full range of science facilities. I regard this provision as one of the most important elements in the building programme.
§ Mr. AlbuCan the Minister say whether any progress has been made in the last few years to fill the appalling gap reported by the science masters in 1958 in the provision of science laboratories in grammar schools and public schools? Further, is it the fact that the present arrangements will continue the privileged position enjoyed by the public schools because of the Industrial Fund which is, of course, supported at the taxpayers' expense?
§ Sir D. EcclesCertainly, the public schools have done well with the Industrial Fund, but in the maintained schools we are building every year at a rate higher than ever was spent on the public schools, and, of course, we shall continue to do so.