HC Deb 23 February 1967 vol 741 cc1938-9
17. Mr. Edelman

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will now authorise the purchase of the site for the proposed two-form entry Roman Catholic primary school at Radford, Coventry, for which formal planning application was made in June, 1965, and approved by the Coventry planning committee.

Mr. Denis Howell

The Department has not yet received an application from the Coventry local education authority for approval to the purchase of this site since, I understand, the local authority is seeking planning permission for the use of a site at present used for statutory allotments.

Mr. Edelman

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that, in view of the number of school children in this area, the matter is now of great urgency? Will he concert action with the Ministry of Housing and Local Government to ensure that the site is rapidly aquired and that the allotment holders now in possession are given early alternative accommodation?

Mr. Howell

The Ministry of Housing has special responsibility regarding planning applications, listening to objections, and so forth, and it would, therefore, be wrong to bring pressure to bear on that Department in the matter. Coventry has put this scheme in its 1968–69 major building programme. This has not yet been announced by us, although, as my hon. Friend will understand, we are giving special attention to it.