HC Deb 18 December 1972 vol 848 cc891-3
4. Mr. Roy Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received about the new school building programme in Monmouthshire; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Thomas

My hon. Friend the Member for Monmouth (Mr. John Stradling Thomas) and the hon. Members for Newport (Mr. Roy Hughes), Bedwellty (Mr. Kinnock) and Pontypool (Mr. Abse) have written to me recently about cost limits and their possible effects on the authority's major school building programme. If the authority can satisfy me that everything possible has been done to keep projects within the cost limits I am prepared to consider exceptionally any difficulties that may arise. These are complicated matters and I shall of course be replying to hon. Members in due course.

Mr. Hughes

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman appreciate that the Government have another remarkable achievement to their credit in that they have created a shortage of building trade workers in an area of heavy unemployment and that ultimately the whole school building programme in Monmouthshire will be in jeopardy? Will he therefore, as a matter of urgency, look into the question of cost limits and also the question of training facilities in Monmouthshire, including the provision of a new training centre at Newport?

Mr. Peter Thomas

It is true that for various reasons there is a shortage of building workers. There is a greatly added demand for building at present. As regards training, colleges of further education in Monmouthshire and adjoining authorities offer an extensive range of courses for people employed in the building industry.

Mr. Kinnock

May I suggest to the right hon. and learned Gentleman that one way in which he can immediately accommodate Monmouthshire's demands and secure an increase in educational provision is by increasing his allocation of nursery schools from the four that he allowed Monmouthshire in response to its demand for 32?

Mr. Peter Thomas

I think the hon. Gentleman knows that there is a later Question on the Order Paper on precisely that subject.

Mr. George Thomas

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman say how long it will take him to make a decision on the upper cost level, as it is this that is handicapping authorities in Monmouthshire?

Mr. Peter Thomas

The right hon. Gentleman will appreciate that the question of cost limits is not a matter entirely for me. Cost limits were increased by 13 per cent. in April 1971 and by a further 15 per cent. in April 1972. The matter is always under review.