§ 11. Mr. Scott-Hopkinsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what increased allocation of funds she 1824 will make for the replacement or renovation of primary schools in Derbyshire following the recent announcement of increased funds of £100 million available for public works this winter.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeOnly the districts served by the Alfreton and Heanor employment exchanges are assisted areas. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has told the Derbyshire local education authority that she is prepared to increase their minor works allocation by £25,000 both this year and next, and that she hopes that these additional resources will be used for primary and special schools. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is also ready to approve under the Urban Programme the provision of a nursery unit near Alfreton.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsI thank my hon. Friend for that information, but does he realise that Derbyshire is one of the counties with the greatest number of old and out-of-date primary schools and that, although the help he has announced will be very well received—and I am grateful for it—there is still an enormous amount to do?
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeYes, Sir. I understand that. My right hon. Friend is not in a position this morning to announce the major programme for primary replacement and the design list for 1973–74, but I hope that it will not be long delayed.
§ Mr. WhiteheadWhat proportion of this delayed largesse will go to the County Borough of Derby, which also is in Derbyshire, although it is a separate education authority?
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeMy answer referred only to the assisted areas covered by the employment exchange districts.