HC Deb 17 July 1969 vol 787 cc853-4
1. Mr. Longden

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will now take steps to ensure that greater use is made of schools' capital equipment out of school hours.

The Minister of State, Department of Education and Science (Miss Alice Bacon)

This is primarily a matter for decision by local education authorities and the governors of individual schools. The practice is already on the increase as a result of the encouragement we are giving to the greater use of school premises and facilities by the community I hope that it will continue to expand.

Mr. Longden

While thanking the right hon. Lady for that Answer, may I ask her to recall that her hon. Friend the Under-Secretary remarked some weeks ago that the nation was not getting full value for its capital expenditure on schools in than schools should be designed with an eye to their use by the community out of school hours? Will she do all she can to further that aim?

Miss Bacon

Yes, Sir. We are doing all that we possibly can in that direction and the hon. Gentleman will be pleased to know that half-a-dozen projects, big and small, have been completed in different parts of the country to provide for the community as well as for the schools. A further 100 are being constructed, planned or considered in England alone.

Mr. Whitaker

Would the right hon Lady agree that excellent gymnasia, swimming pools, playing fields and art classrooms could be used in the coming long summer holidays by the surrounding communities?

Miss Bacon

This, again, is for local authorities to decide; but I agree with my hon. Friend that, given proper supervision, of course, this is a useful thing for local authorities to do.