HC Deb 03 March 1966 vol 725 cc1476-7
36. Mr. Evelyn King

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many primary schools still remain in South Dorset without inside sanitary accommodation; and what would be the cost of installing it.

Mr. Redhead

Twenty-two. I am unable to say what the total cost would be of providing indoor sanitation for these schools.

Mr. King

Since the amount of money involved is such a small sum compared with the tens of millions of £s being spent on grandiose propositions in various cities, and since it is not much to ask for a W.C., cannot the Minister speed up this reform and remove this long-standing rural grievance?

Mr. Redhead

I recognise that the conditions in many old primary schools leave very much to be desired. However, as I have said on an earlier occasion, this is not a creation of 18 months but a legacy inherited from many years.

Mr. J. E. B. Hill

Is not the Minister aware that these defects could have been put right had he not abolished the mini-minor programmes which we pledge to restore, no doubt to the gratitude of local education authorities?

Mr. Redhead

Within the allocations made to them, it was always open to local education authorities to apply their own order of priorities.

Mr. King

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.