HC Deb 08 July 1980 vol 988 cc226-7
9. Dr. Hampson

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to encourage the greater use of school premises out of school hours.

Mr. Macfarlane

The Government's policy is to encourage the fullest possible use of school premises by the community. The Department and the Welsh Office have undertaken a sample survey of the extent to which schools are used for this purpose, and my right hon. and learned Friend expects to receive results shortly.

Dr. Hampson

Bearing in mind the tremendous investment in school buildings and facilities, does my hon. Friend agree that local authorities place far too many restrictions on their use, particularly at a time when the prospects for young people who are not fully qualified are pretty dim and when we need more teaching of mathematics and science? Will my hon. Friend encourage local authorities to make better use of school facilities, particularly in regard to those critical aspects?

Mr. Macfarlane

So far as we are entitled and able to do so, I assure my hon. Friend that we shall endeavour to do that. The greater use of schools and educational establishments by the community can be of enormous benefit. I hope that local authorities and teachers will consider removing any barriers that they may have created to the wider use of school premises. School premises have an enormous part to play in any community.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

Will the Minister accept that I consider that that is a good idea? However, can he assure me that in areas such as my constituency, where such provision is necessary, councils will not be accused of wasting money on overtime or employing more caretakers? Will he assure us that there will be no attempt to cut expenditure on such provision?

Mr. Macfarlane

That is a matter for the London borough of Newham. The hon. Gentleman must understand that the use of school premises is a matter for local authorities and head teachers, who must resolve questions of charging and cost.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

The hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Lewis) has raised an interesting issue. Is my hon. Friend aware that the problem of the addtional use of school premises often comes down to whether caretakers are prepared to allow bookings to be made? As we do not want caretakers to work too long hours, is there any way in which organisations seeking to use school premises could attend to the premises by cleaning and setting out the facilities?

Mr. Macfarlane

My hon. Friend has raised an interesting and important aspect of the problem. In the final analysis, it is up to everyone in local authorities and schools to try to eliminate the existing barriers. I have no doubt that the barriers exist, and I hope that all concerned will get together to thrash out the problems.

Mr. Armstrong

Instead of passing the buck to local authorities, will the Minister take the initiative and send a circular to authorities encouraging them to make use of facilities provided at public expense, particularly so that they can employ more people in the present desperate situation and ensure that facilities are fully used?

Mr. Macfarlane

It is not a question of passing the buck. The right hon. Gentleman was a Minister at the DES, and he knows what the 1944 Act permits. We appreciate the points that he has made, but he must understand that local authorities have the final decision. The previous Administration sent out a circular and we have conducted a sample survey of some 2,000 primary schools and 1,000 secondary schools to find out precisely what provision is made. As soon as the results are to hand, we shall tell the House.