§ 22. Mr. Sydney Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will introduce minimum standards of work space per teacher in staff rooms in schools and first-aid rooms for students.
§ Mrs. ThatcherThe Standards for School Premises Regulations 1972 already require all maintained primary and secondary schools to have staff common rooms and suitable accommodation for medical inspection and treatment. I am reluctant to go into greater detail.
§ Mr. ChapmanAs the staff facilities at some of the older schools in particular are completely inadequate for members of the staff who have to undertake administrative work on the premises, and as the first-aid facilities are inadequate or even non-existent, will my right hon. Friend at least consider bringing schools within the provisions of the Offices, Shops and Railways Premises Act, so that members of staff are at least considered equal to, for example, typists in offices?
§ Mrs. ThatcherI would agree with my hon. Friend in his general aim. I think that the question really turns upon the amount of resources available for improvement, and, as he knows, the present Government have given more for improvements than any other Government have done.