HC Deb 19 April 1988 vol 131 cc661-2
1. Mr. Pike

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent assessment his Department has made of the effect on educational standards of sub-standard school buildings.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Mr. Bob Dunn)

Many factors may affect the educational standards achieved in schools and there is no reliable means of identifying the contribution made by any one in particular. Local education authorities are responsible for ensuring that school buildings are maintained at an appropriate standard.

Mr. Pike

Is it not a fact that the Department's own inspectors have said that sub-standard buildings often have an adverse effect on the working conditions and education of our children? Is it not a fact also that the Department's own survey showed that £2 billion is needed by 1991 to put our schools in accessible order? When will the Government tackle this problem and put it right?

Mr. Dunn

I may point out to the hon. Gentleman that £319 million was allocated for capital works in schools in 1988–89—26 per cent. more than in 1987–88. Taking account of capital receipts and other flexibilities, authorities' total national spending power in 1988–89 was £3.6 billion, which should enable many to start getting to grips with the problems to which the hon. Gentleman has referred.

Mr. Pawsey

My hon. Friend's interest in this matter is considerable, and it is understandable and genuine. Can he tell the flouse whether he has had any success in persuading his colleagues to make more funds available to voluntary-aided schools to improve their buildings? I remind my hon. Friend of a visit that he made to my constituency and to St. Austin's and St. Marie's schools, and he may recall the condition of those schools. Can he hold out any hope of improving their condition reasonably soon?

Mr. Dunn

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his question. I remember with great clarity and affection the visit that I made to his constituency.

In response to the first part of his question I can tell him and the House that allocations to voluntary-aided schools for capital projects totalled £55.3 million in 1988–89—an increase of 38 per cent. over the figure for 1987–88. As a result, 32 major improvement and replacement projects are due to start.

Mr. Ashdown

The Government recognise the implications of sub-standard buildings; hence the 1981 building regulations. However, unhappily they prevent local education authorities from doing anything about the situation by limiting their funds and loading other legal requirements on to them. I understand that if Somerset county council, for instance, were to fulfil its legal obligations for special needs, it would not be able to spend any more on decent school buildings. Does the Minister recognise that probably not one LEA in the country can meet the requirements of the 1981 building regulations by the time limits set? What will the Government do? Will they simply wash their hands and say, "It is nothing to do with us"?

Mr. Dunn

I am grateful to the hon. Member for the moderate way in which he phrased his question. I remind him that it is for local education authorities to ensure that schools are properly maintained. The Government have made additional resources available to local education authorities—a fact which I am sure the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Ashdown) will welcome.

Mr. Batiste

On the subject of the fabric of schools, does my hon. Friend recall the concern that I expressed in Committee on the Education Reform Bill about the incompetence of the Leeds education authority? Has he had a chance to read the letter from Councillor John Illingworth that I gave him this week? Does that letter not confirm my fears, and will my hon. Friend ask the schools inspectorate to launch an efficiency audit into the running of the authority?

Mr. Dunn

I am sure that my hon. Friend's point will be noted by the schools inspectorate. I have received a copy of the letter sent by Councillor John Illingworth to his colleague, another Labour councillor, Councillor B. Walker. Councillor Illingworth had this to say: Faced with this situation"— that is, school repairs and refurbishment— the Group seems to have three stock responses:—

  1. 1. Blame Mrs. Thatcher.
  2. 2. Blame the Officers.
  3. 3. Blame George Mudie.
I am not sure in which order! I would like to suggest a fourth alternative: that the Group and the Party as a whole are collectively responsible for a situation which, even if it cannot be completely cured, could at least be made substantially better than it is at the moment. The councillor goes on to say: I do not believe"—[Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker

Order. I appeal for brief questions and briefer answers today.