§ 23. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Education for what number and value of school projects the Staffordshire Education Authority applied for the building year 1962–63; and what number and value of projects he has approved.
§ Sir D. EcclesThe authority proposed fifty-four projects, of which twenty were approved. I gave the hon. Member the values on 27th October last year.
§ Mr. SwinglerIs the Minister aware that the point is that Staffordshire puts in only for those projects which really 776 are essential and that this cut of more than 50 per cent. in the programme asked for by the local authority has a most frustrating effect on those who are trying to raise school standards? As a great part of Staffordshire is an area which requires more employment, will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider his building programme, if only for economic reasons?
§ Sir D. EcclesIt may well be that the Staffordshire authority considers these projects essential, but what I have to do is to determine how many of them can be included in a programme on which there is a ceiling limit in any one year.