HC Deb 01 July 1965 vol 715 cc798-9
12. Mr. Ridsdale

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when work on the new primary school at Wivenhoe is likely to start; and when he estimates it will be completed.

Mr. Denis Howell

The Essex local education authority regards this project as one of the most urgent in its programme for the current year. There have been difficulties in acquiring a site but it hopes to be able to place a contract in October next, with a completion date six months later.

Mr. Ridsdale

Will the hon. Gentleman do all he can to overcome the delays that have taken place since October? Does he realise that this is a rapidly growing area and, with the coming of the new university at Wivenhoe, the parents, particularly those with children at primary schools, are becoming desperate about the need for better primary schools?

Mr. Howell

I hope that my answer has shown that we regard this as an urgent matter. The delaying factor has arisen because the authority was anxious to avoid recourse to compulsory purchase powers and wished to negotiate boundaries with the owners.