§ 11. Mr. Turtonasked the Minister of Education whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory conditions in which children of primary school age are being educated at Osbaldwick, and that his predecessor agreed in 1956 that a new replacement school should be built, but that so far only two classrooms have been provided; and whether he will now authorise the inclusion of the remainder of the school in the 1964–65 building programme.
§ Sir E. BoyleI have reconsidered this matter carefully since my right hon. Friend raised it with me. I recognise that the Osbaldwick school premises leave much to be desired, but I have reached the conclusion that the completion of the new school is not sufficiently urgent in comparison with other projects to justify my adding it to the 1964–65 programme.
§ Mr. TurtonCan my right hon. Friend give this matter further reconsideration, bearing in mind that since the decision was made seven years ago to build a new school, the population of Osbaldwick has doubled and that next school year there will be 305children of primary school age of whom only 120 will be able to be accommodated in satisfactory accommodation in the North Riding? Is he aware that at the moment the school is split over four quite different sites and that many of the buildings in temporary use are unsuitable for modern teaching?
§ Sir E. BoyleI have never at any time shown the least doubt about the amount of work in replacing school buildings which still has to be done. I have considered my right hon. Friend's points about this school carefully, but the authority concerned placed it sixth in order of priority among six primary school projects which it proposed. Three have been approved. In fact, 75 per cent. of the authority's total programme for next year was approved.
§ Mr. TurtonIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment.