§ 25. Dame Irene Wardasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what financial assistance she is able to offer the Northumberland Education Committee to provide new schools, equipped to the desired standard, following the recent deputation of the chairman and director of education of the county council.
§ Mr. St. John-StevasIn the special circumstances of this case it has been decided to allocate to the authority an additional £45,000 for the current year 1972–73. My noble Friend is writing today to the chairman of the education committee informing him of this.
§ Dame Irene WardI thank my hon. Friend for that decision, which will be greatly welcomed in Northumberland. I hope we may look forward to many other occasions when we shall be as grateful as we are on this occasion.
§ Mr. St. John-StevasIf we are to see further triumphs of this nature, my hon. Friend the Member for Tynemouth (Dame Irene Ward) had better revise her decision not to contest her seat at the next election. Many hon. Members in all parts of the House think that her decision is premature and should be placed under immediate review.