§ 30. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Education what was the original allocation for minor works from 1961 to 1963 for the Sunderland Education Authority; and what is the revised allocation for that period.
§ Sir D. EcclesMinor works expenditure in Sunderland in 1961–63 will amount to£57,000 contracted for in the first six months of 1961–62,£30,000 for the rest of the two-year period, and a further sum at the authority's discretion for projects costing less than£2,000 each. This replaces the previous allocations of£50,000 and£60,000 for all minor works in the two years.
§ Mr. WilleyDoes the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that this is a deplorable economy, in view of the disparities between the old and new schools in Sunderland? Does he further realise that this economy takes a very real toll of manpower, technical and administrative, which is in short supply?
§ Sir D. EcclesThese cuts in minor works were made precisely because at the time the building industry was overloaded and this was the part of the educational programme where relief could be most quickly given.