HC Deb 07 May 1964 vol 694 cc1444-5
27. Mr. Boyden

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science to what extent, in formulating school building programmes recently announced, he took into consideration the school building survey which has not yet been made available to the public.

Sir E. Boyle

The larger part of the programmes is allocated to the provision of essential new school places for increasing numbers of pupils and areas of new housing. These factors were not included in the survey. Account was taken of the individual returns of authorities, along with other factors, in deciding the broad distribution of that considerable part of the programmes devoted directly to the improvement and replacement of existing schools.

Mr. Boyden

If the Department has been able to use the survey why has it not been published? Does it turn out that the survey makes such a criticism of the state of the schools that the right hon. Gentleman and the Government are afraid to publish it?

Sir E. Boyle

No. I refer the hon. Member to an Answer given by my right hon. Friend on the subject on 16th April, in which he explained why the survey material had not been published and that he was considering what form the publication should take.

Mr. J. Wells

Would my right hon. Friend indicate whether there is any geographical split up in this survey, because there is a feeling in the South-East that too much money is being spent in other areas? We should be grateful for an assurance that the South-East, which is the development area with the greatest increase in population, is to have its fair share?

Sir E. Boyle

I am answering this question because the distribution was made before I left Curzon Street. The South-East had its fair share. I am sure my hon. Friend will bear in mind the heavy legacy of old schools in the North-East and the North-West.

Mr. Willey

Does the right hon. Gentleman's inquiry confirm that of the N.U.T., which showed that one-seventh of our primary schools have no water sanitation?

Sir E. Boyle

I would not wish, without notice, to answer questions on particular details. The questionnaire was considerably more complicated than the inquiry by the Union, and this had implications in the collection and processing of the material.