§ 3. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many places have been provided in new schools in Dorset in the last year, or reprovided in new accommodation; and how this compares with the national average.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Education and Science (Miss Alice Bacon)1,860; the national total was 365,000.
§ Mr. DigbyWhile recognising the preoccupation of the Government with the fast-growing areas, at any rate in some respects, may I ask whether the right hon. Lady is aware how bad some of our school buildings are in Dorset and 588 that she always seems to be putting us at the end of a queue?
§ Miss BaconI am sure that the hon. Gentleman will be pleased to know that my right hon. Friend has today invited local education authorities to submit proposals for a continuous and systematic review of improvements and replacements of old schools, beginning in 1971–72, when about £15 million will be available for the purpose.