HC Deb 25 July 1968 vol 769 cc970-1
42. Sir J. Langford-Holt

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will give an assurance that the new system of determining school building priorities detailed in his Circular 13/68 will not affect the priorities already accepted by him for the 1968–69 programme.

Miss Bacon

Yes, provided of course that the projects in the revised 1968–69 programme start during that year.

43. Sir J. Langford-Holt

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will give an assurance that the two school building projects at Shrewsbury Underdale County Primary School and Shrewsbury St. Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School, which were in the list of projects to be proceeded with in 1968–69 and which have now been excluded by him, will be included in the 1969–70 programme.

Miss Bacon

I cannot anticipate what Salop's programme of school building starts will be for 1969–70. I shall have to judge the Authority's proposals in the light of the resources available.

Sir John Langford-Holt

Is the right hon. Lady aware that if she is engaged in a policy of chopping and changing as between one year and another, she will destroy any continuity which she is trying to achieve?

Miss Bacon

It was done this year because of the need to take out of the building programme the money which had already been allocated for the raising of the school-leaving age. I was able to authorise four schools from the authority's list and the Underdale school was fifth while St. Mary's was eighth.