§ 16. Mr. Turtonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory and inadequate facilities for teaching at Strensall Primary School; why he turned down the proposals of the North Riding County Council to replace this school in their 1968–69 and 1969–70 building programmes; and what proposals he is initiating for the improvement of primary education in this area.
§ Miss BaconYes, Sir. This replacement could not be included in the 1968–70 programmes because other projects were more urgent. The local education authority intends to provide a mobile classroom.
§ Mr. TurtonDoes the right hon. Lady realise that the original school is so overcrowded that children are now being taught in three separate buildings, each half a mile apart, and that the sanitary and ablution conditions are absolutely primitive? Will she reconsider this decision? It is not fair to ask either teachers or pupils to teach or learn under such conditions.
§ Miss BaconThis is a very old school, and the conditions are rather deplorable. It is over 100 years old. I am not sure what the right hon. Gentleman is asking me to reconsider. A mobile classroom will still be needed even if the school is included in the 1970–71 programme, because if it were included it would take some time to build. As I said in answer to the previous Question, we have not yet determined the projects to be allowed in the 1970–71 programme.
§ Mr. TurtonOn a point of order. In view of the totally unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.