§ 10. Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what requests she has received from Derbyshire County Council for the replacement of wooden huts at Newton School, Derbyshire, by permanent accommodation; and what reply she has sent.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeNone, Sir. It is for the local education authority to decide how to use its minor works allocations, which have been increased, at 1971 prices, from nearly £400,000 in 1970–71 to £470,000 in 1971–72 and over £500,000 in 1972–73.
§ Mr. SkinnerWe could get round this problem quite easily by taking some of the £2 million which has gone to the direct grant schools. While I am on my feet, may I inquire for how many years the Secretary of State's own children suffered conditions such as those in Newton?
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeI answered the Question put to me, and I showed—I was grateful to the hon. Gentleman for giving me the platform—that under the present Government the minor works allocation to this particular local education authority has increased dramatically. This is a familiar story under Tory Government education policy.