Cornwall (Hansard, 27 October 1960)

§ 12. Mr. Hayman
asked the Minister of Education for what year he proposes to sanction the building of secondary 2556 schools cut out of the 1962–63 programme submitted by the Cornwall Education Committee.

§ Sir D. Eccles
Of the three proposals in question, I have promised one in 1963–64 and one in 1964–65. As I have not yet compiled the programme for these two years, I cannot say whether the third will be included or not.

§ Mr. Hayman
Will the Minister take into account that he has cut out from the 1962–63 programme a mixed grammar school at Falmouth and that some parts of the accommodation in the Falmouth Grammar School for Girls are a disgrace to the nation? Will he try to see that a new grammar school for Falmouth is provided as quickly as possible?

§ Sir D. Eccles
I will do my best.

§ 13. Mr. Hayman
asked the Minister of Education why he reduced the school building programme proposed by the Cornwall Education Committee for 1962–63 from £840,000 to £130,000.

§ Sir D. Eccles
Although I appreciate the importance which the authority attaches to the projects not approved, they are in my view less urgent than the projects I approved in other areas.

§ Mr. Hayman
May I remind the Minister that a few minutes ago he said that for Staffordshire, with a population of 1 million, he had sanctioned a £1¼ million building programme, whereas for Cornwall, which has a population of more than one-third of a million, he has sanctioned only £130,000, which is about half of the programme for 1961–62? Will the right hon. Gentleman look at this again to see whether something better cannot be done?

§ Sir D. Eccles
The reason is that Cornwall has got on so well in the past. Cornwall has done very well with reorganisation and there is a good deal more leeway to be made up in Staffordshire.

§ Mr. Awbery
In view of the fact that the majority of the programmes of expenditure submitted to the Minister by local authorities are reduced by his Department, will he tell us whether it is his predetermined policy to reduce every estimate that is sent to him by local authorities?

§ Sir D. Eccles
As I think the hon. Member knows, we have a continuing building programme for schools, which is running now at about £60 million a year. Therefore, if local authorities submit proposals for three times that amount, I am bound to make some selection.

§ Dr. King
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that anyone who, as I have recently done, has seen the magnificent work which Cornwall is doing towards ending the backlog and, above all, abolishing the all-age school, would urge him to take note of the representations which my hon. Friend the Member for Falmouth and Camborne (Mr. Hayman) is making on behalf of the need to step up the programme that the right hon. Gentleman is willing to give to Cornwall, which is eager to get on with the job?

§ Sir D. Eccles
Yes.