HC Deb 17 July 1969 vol 787 cc862-3
9. Mr. Gardner

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many new primary schools were completed during 1963–64; how many new places were made available; and what are the estimated figures for 1969–70.

Miss Bacon

In 1963–64 313 and 101, 370 respectively. The estimated figures for 1969–70 are 600 and 215,000.

Mr. Gardner

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, compared with the record of hon. Members opposite, this is a very fine record? Will she continue to give priority to primary education and building for primary education, bearing in mind the number of very old schools, particularly in the East Midlands?

Miss Bacon

I realise that there are still many old schools about which we want to do something in future, but we have had the figures I have given, which show that we are progressing twice as fast today as we were in 1963.

Mr. J. E. B. Hill

Before the right hon. Lady takes too much credit for this achievement, will she acknowledge that there are over three-quarters of a million more children of primary school age and the improvement factor has therefore declined?

Miss Bacon

Of course, we realise that there are more children today than there were four years ago, but these figures show that we have gone ahead very much faster than has the number of children.