HC Deb 22 February 1962 vol 654 cc624-6
30. Sir P. Agnew

asked the Minister of Education when he will give his decision on the submission from the Worcestershire County Council for its major building programme for the two years 1963–65.

47. Mr. Hayman

asked the Minister of Education when he will publish details of the school building programmes for 1963–64 and 1964–65.

48. Mr. Hayman

asked the Minister of Education which new schools have been sanctioned for Cornwall in the building programmes for 1963–64 and 1964–65.

Sir D. Eccles

The major school building programme for 1963–64 will be announced next week. The 1964–65 programme will be settled later.

Sir P. Agnew

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is very great concern about the inadequacy of accommodation at the Hanley Castle Grammar School? For example, whereas in 1946 there were 4 boys in the sixth form, the number has now risen to 42 and there will be 55 boys in it by September this year. The number of boys in the school, which is carrying out splendid work throughout the rural area and is serving the town of Malvern as well, will have nearly doubled by 1964 compared with the number in it just after the war, and it does not wish to have to turn away pupils.

Sir D. Eccles

I am aware of that. The next Question on the Order Paper in the name of my hon. Friend is about this school, and I will answer his points then.

Mr. Hayman

Has the Minister included any school for Falmouth in the programme which he proposes to approve, since a new primary school and a new grammar school and extensions to the technical college are all badly needed?

Sir D. Eccles

Much as I should like to give the hon. Gentleman advance information, I must ask him to wait until next week.

Mr. Willey

Will the right hon. Gentleman at least anticipate this: will we welcome the statement which he will make next week? Is he aware that there has been a considerable delay in making this statement, which we were promised in the autumn? This has caused serious inconvenience to the local education authorities.

Sir D. Eccles

The hon. Gentleman certainly ought to welcome the statement. Whether he will or not is another matter.

31. Sir P. Agnew

asked the Minister of Education if he will include approval of the improvements submitted by the Worcestershire County Council for Hanley Castle Grammar School in his decision on its major building programme for the years 1963–65; and if he will authorise the work at that grammar school to be carried out in the first of those years.

Sir D. Eccles

I cannot anticipate the programme announcement for 1963–64. But if not included for that year this project will, if the authority wishes, be considered for 1964–65.

Sir P. Agnew

Will my right hon. Friend undertake to give urgent consideration to the questions which I asked him on my previous Question and consider how serious this matter will be if it goes unremedied in the very near future?

Sir D. Eccles

Yes, I will, but I must also consult the authority's list of priorities.