§ 3. Mr. Lawsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the amount spent from October, 1964, until the latest convenient date on school building; and what were the comparable figures for a similar period up to October, 1964.
§ Mr. MillanThe value of work done on school building in the four years from October, 1964, was £76.7 million and in the four preceding years £57.5 million.
§ Mr. LawsonI compliment my hon. Friend on this considerable stepping up of the work done in building schools, but is he satisfied that the schools are being properly located and that they are fitting in to the wider policy on comprehensive school building?
§ Mr. MillanYes. All the recent secondary school projects are for either new comprehensive schools or extensions to schools, partly to meet the raising of the 1345 school leaving age, but also to enable them better to fit in with the comprehensive reorganisation.
§ Mr. MacArthurIs the hon. Gentleman aware that in every year for which the Government were responsible the number of school places, which is what matters, fell? Was there any improvement in 1968, which we looked for? If so, is it adequate to meet the requirements of raising the school leaving age?
§ Mr. MillanThe figures for school building places depend on whether primary or secondary school accommodation is being provided. I have given the figures of expenditure, and the figures for 1968, when they are published, will be very, very good indeed.