HC Deb 11 May 1972 vol 836 cc1541-2
21. Mr. Thomas Cox

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representation she has received from managers of schools in the Wandsworth, Central constituency as to the effects of the financial cuts she has made in the global sum approved for the Inner London Education Authority programme.

Mr. van Straubenzee

None, Sir.

Mr. Cox

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the widespread criticism being voiced by managing bodies of primary and junior schools in my constituency and that support for them is being voiced by Tory managers who are utterly disgusted at the cuts that have been ordered? In view of that, is it not time either that these policies were changed or that the hon. Gentleman—or his right hon. Friend —had the courage to come to my constituency and defend himself before managers. parents and teachers and hear what they all think of him?

Mr. van Straubenzee

As on a previous Question, the hon. Gentleman is referring basically to the minor works problem. He will forgive me for reminding him that inner London has a declining primary school population.

Mr. Cox

That is not the answer.

Mr. van Straubenzee

It is no good the hon. Gentleman shaking his head. Inner London has a declining primary school population and therefore it is understandable, looked at globally, that it should have a reduced sum for this purpose. But the hon. Gentleman is right in saying that there are some unacceptable primary schools still working, and that is precisely why my right hon. Friend is giving priority to their replacement.

Mr. Stallard

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these cuts are causing serious hardship in some London schools? Does he appreciate that there are still 44 secondary schools in the London area operating from more than one site, 37 of them in buildings which date back to the early nineteenth century, buildings which are a disgrace to twentieth century education? Will the hon. Gentleman therefore give urgent consideration to my hon. Friend's request for these cuts to be reconsidered so that at least some of the problems in London may be alleviated?

Mr. van Straubenzee

In so far as the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question refers to secondary schools, I accept without question that there is a great deal more that any Government want to do, but I adhere firmly to the view that good government is the proper ordering of priorities and that the proper ordering of priorities here is the replacement of old primary schools.