HC Deb 13 November 1973 vol 864 cc241-2

The following Question stood upon the Order Paper:

25. Sir H. HARRISON

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what has been the total capital expenditure on schools in East Suffolk since 1st July 1967.

Mr. Speaker

Sir Harwood Harrison.

Sir H. Harrison

Question No. 25—but may I point out, Mr. Speaker, that the year 1970 should be substituted for 1967?

Mr. St. John-Stevas

I am sorry, but clairvoyance is not among the attributes of the Department—[HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."]—but only powers of prophecy, such as that the Opposition will long remain on the Opposition benches.

The total for the period 1st July 1967 to 30th June 1973, in terms of projects started, is £4,960,000.

Sir H. Harrison

I should like to tell my hon. Friend that I informed his office of the change in the year. I should also like to say to him how very grateful we in East Suffolk are for the great interest which the Government are taking in education there.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

I am grateful to my hon. and gallant Friend for his unfailing courtesy. The starts programme in East Suffolk has new major projects worth £1,125,000, and that is the largest major programme the authority has ever had.