HC Deb 28 February 1963 vol 672 cc1427-8
10. Mr. Webster

asked the Minister of Education if he will take steps to increase the minor improvements grants given to county councils.

Sir E. Boyle

The level of educational minor works for 1963–64 has already been settled at £16 million. A decision on the allocations for 1964–65 will be made in the context of the general review of public investment.

Mr. Webster

Is my hon. Friend aware that in some cases at least these grants seem to have been whittled down in recent years? Is he aware that because of lack of work done under this category some schools were late opening this year and some were opened at great discomfort to pupils and teachers? Will my right hon. Friend bear this in mind in future negotiations?

Sir E. Boyle

I will fully bear in mind the strong feelings which are constantly expressed in all parts about minor improvements. Somerset, I think, had an allocation of £100,000 for 1963–64, which was fully in line with its total school population. The level of minor works starts for 1962–63 has been increased by special concessions to authorities in the North-East and Merseyside. These are likely to produce additional minor works costing about £2 million.

Mr. Hilton

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of us consider that he is grossly neglecting local education in rural areas? Would he not agree that to make more of the minor works grants available would be the best way of improving the standard of many primary schools in rural villages, many of which are in slum categories? Could the right hon. Gentleman not have another look at the suggestion made by his hon. Friend the Member for Weston-super-Mare (Mr. Webster)? Is he aware that we believe that steps should be taken now to bring these primary schools up to decent standards and that it could be done with the help of these grants?

Sir E. Boyle

I agree that the minor works programme is very important from the point of view of the primary schools. After the five-year programme announced in the 1958 White Paper, we must have a special look at the needs of primary schools, especially in the light of the survey which we have undertaken. I am sure that the hon. Member, on his part, would agree that completion of the reorganisation of village schools has also made a considerable difference in rural areas.