HC Deb 02 July 1964 vol 697 cc1519-20
5. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schemes have been submitted to him by the Lancashire Education Department for the replacement of unsatisfactory primary schools; how many of the classes in the schools concerned contain more than 30 pupils; how many such schemes have been approved; how many are within industrial areas; by what date such new primary schools will be provided; and by what date the Newsom Report will be implemented in Lancashire.

Mr. Hogg

The authority proposed 27 projects for the 1965–68 major programmes which would result in the replacement of existing primary accommodation. The schools had about 140 classes with more than 30 pupils. Twelve projects have been approved. Of these 10 are in urban areas. I cannot forecast when they will be completed, but it normally takes about 18 months to build a small primary school. The recommendations of the Newsom Committee which call for local initiative are not of the kind which can be implemented by specific dates.

Mr. Ellis Smith

Is the Minister aware that those of us who have spent our lives in the industrial conditions existing in this part of the country, and our relatives who live there, are affected by the terribly black legacy that has been left to us? Should not this large industrial area be given complete priority in order to bring about the standards which the people deserve and which our economy demands?

Mr. Hogg

The hon. Member's interest in his old county is well appreciated, but I rather doubt whether complete priority given to it would meet with the complete approval of other hon. Members.

Mr. Ellis Smith

I am not concerned about other hon. Members. I want to make it quite clear on behalf of the people whether it is the Minister's desire to implement the Newsom Report as quickly as possible.

Mr. Hogg

Yes, we have accepted the main recommendation and have said exactly what we are going to do about it, but the hon. Member asked me about its implementation in a particular area. I understood him to mean, not the raising of the school-leaving age which must be done on a national scale and by a date which has been announced, but the many other recommendations which do not all allow of a specific date to be mentioned. For instance, there is the in-service training for teachers and so on.