HC Deb 25 April 1963 vol 676 cc394-5
11. Mr. Driberg

asked the Minister of Education if he is aware that the premises at present used by the 286 children attending St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Barking, which was destroyed by bombing in 1941, fall short of the minimum physical requirements laid down by his Department, and, in particular, that the teaching accommodation is more than 1,000 square feet less than that required, the sanitation is inadequate, and there is no hall; why this project has again failed to secure his approval, despite official assurances that it had a high priority and would receive sympathetic consideration for the 1964–65 building programme; and if he will reconsider his decision.

Mr. Chataway

My right hon. Friend is aware of conditions at the school. In drawing up the major building programme for 1964–65, however, he had to give priority to the provision of new school places in areas where the total number of places was insufficient and to completion of the reorganisation of all-age schools. The St. Joseph's project did not fall within those categories. My right hon. Friend is unable at this stage to reconsider that decision.

Mr. Driberg

Is the bon. Gentleman aware that the total number of Roman Catholic school places in Barking is insufficient, because this school is grossly overcrowded; that it is now eight years since the H.M.I.s' report said that the standards of work in this school were undoubtedly impaired by the many inadequacies of the building"; and would he look at this again, please?

Mr. Chataway

I am aware of these inadequacies. But the project first appeared in the programme proposed by the Essex local education authority for the year 1963–64 and I understand that, until then, the Roman Catholic authorities did not regard the project as urgent in comparison with the need for new Roman Catholic schools in other parts of the diocese.

Mr. Willey

In view of the exceptional problems set out here, will the hon. Gentleman ask his right hon. Friend to give sympathetic reconsideration to this matter?

Mr. Chataway

I can certainly undertake that my right hon. Friend will be prepared to look at the submission of the Essex local education authority—as with the submissions of all other authorities—if additional resources become available for the 1964–65 programme.