§ 29. Mr. Roebuckasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the sum spent on school building in 1964–65; and what is the estimated figure for 1970–71.
§ Miss BaconThe allocations for school-building projects, including those for special school, announced for 1964–65 totalled £85 million. The corresponding figure for 1970–71 is £160.5 million. I take it that my hon. Friend will now be quite speechless.
§ Mr. RoebuckIs my right hon. Friend aware that this is another election promise on its way to fulfilment? Can she exert any influence on local authorities when they build these schools so that the whole community may gain the benefit of the capital expenditure and the schools are not used only from nine o'clock to four o'clock during the school year?
§ Miss BaconThis is a very important point, which we are trying to impress on local authorities. We hope that they will take that course.
§ Sir E. BoyleWill the right hon. Lady state the corresponding figures for school improvements? Was it not the President of the Board of Trade who said that that was the important element which gave us the true measure of our priorities?
§ Miss BaconI had not the separate figures for the improvements for new school buildings, but, on minor works, which means the improvement of older buildings, the figure for 1964–65 was £18 million and for 1970–71 it will be £30 million.