HC Deb 05 July 1962 vol 662 c671
7. Mr. Farr

asked the Minister of Education if he will increase the amount of £310,000 allocated for the 1963–64 school building programme of the Leicestershire County Council, in view of the rising numbers of the school population in the county.

The Minister of Education (Sir David Eccles)

Yes, Sir. After considering representations, I have increased the sum by £71,000 and have promised to add a further project costing about £50,000 when details are settled.

Mr. Farr

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that encouraging reply, may I ask whether he is really aware of the burst in population that has occurred in Leicestershire in the last few years? Moreover, is he aware that a recent survey showed that of eleven large local education authorities, Leicestershire was the only one in which the number of pupils on the roll has increased by more than the number of school places that will be available?

Sir D. Eccles

I am aware of the needs of Leicestershire, and I am awaiting its proposals for the 1964–65 programme.