§ 18. Mr. J. E. B. Hillasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science on what costs per school place his 1968–69 building programme is based; and to what extent these will be increased by the effect of the selective employment tax.
§ 37. Mr. Huntasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will revise the present cost limits for primary and secondary school places.
§ Mr. RedheadThe present cost limits per place are £230 and £435, respectively, for new primary and secondary schools. My right hon. Friend expects to be able to make an announcement soon about new cost limits.
§ Mr. HillDoes not that make nonsense of the figures in the National Plan, which were given as £190 for a primary school place and £338 for a secondary school place? Will not the figures in the National Plan, ! therefore, have to be substantially revised?
§ Mr. RedheadI do not agree with the hon. Gentleman's conclusion. The figures in the Answer relate to gross costs per school place.
§ Mr. HuntDoes not that Answer mean that the present limits are totally unrealistic, and does it not equally mean that 1635 this must inevitably result in a serious lowering of standards in school building?
§ Mr. RedheadWith that proposition, similarly, I would not agree.