HC Deb 11 July 1963 vol 680 cc1390-2
9 and 10. Mr. Barnett

asked the Minister of Education (1) whether he will now consider including the building of the Bovington, Wool, Primary School in the 1964–65 school building programme;

(2) whether he will now consider including the building of Weymouth Grammar School in the 1964–65 school building programme.

Sir E. Boyle

I have carefully considered these two projects, but I regret that I shall be unable to add them to the 1964–65 programme.

Mr. Barnett

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the roof of the primary school I have mentioned is leaking in about 10 places, that the floor of the entrance hall is very worn and unsafe, that the walls of several classrooms are badly cracked, that much of the building is damp and that the health of both teachers and pupils is likely to be badly affected, and that a devoted staff has been working—[HON. MEMBERS:"Speech."]—in temporary buildings, most of which date back to the 1914–18 war? In view of this, will the right hon. Gentleman visit the school to assure himself that it is essential that it is included in the 1964–65 programme?

Sir E. Boyle

Putting it much more shortly than the hon. Member did, I am fully aware of the present unsatisfactory conditions of this school of which I have received a report. I have made it plain to the House that I hope that we can make a start on primary replacements from 1965–66 onwards. I have made it plain on many occasions that between 1960 and 1965 we have concentrated on the secondary school replacement and improvement part of the programme. The school site will be required by the War Department, but will not be needed for these purposes before the end of 1967. I am leading to the conclusion that, although I cannot enter any commitment, it would be worth the authority putting this forward in the 1965–66 programme.

Mr. Denis Howell

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if the conditions in this school related to any private dwelling, there would be a prosecution within a matter of months? In these circumstances, why should the Minister expect children to suffer unsanitary conditions worse than the worst landlord would be allowed?

Sir E. Boyle

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that I have only recently agreed to the replacement of one school which quite clearly was becoming an urgent danger to health and was in danger of falling down. [Interruption.] There have to be priorities in these matters. Between 1960 and 1965, as we made clear in the 1958 White Paper, which was debated at the time, the improvement section of the school building programme concentrated on the secondary schools in order to advance the policy of secondary education for all.

Mr. Willey

Will the right hon. Gentleman realise that we cannot accept as a criterion that a school is likely to be falling down before it is replaced? Will he look sensibly at the primary school buildings, the N.U.T. survey of them and the survey which he is preparing and which he has promised to publish, and then do something?

Sir E. Boyle

The hon. Gentleman can rest assured that I am under contract to Parliament to present the results of our survey when it is available, and I have every intention of doing so.

Mr. Barnett

In view of the most unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I wish to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.