§ 12. Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will meet parents and pupils in Nottingham, North to explain the consequences for education of his recent decision on limiting capital spending by the Nottinghamshire county council local education authority.
§ Mr. ButcherMy right hon. Friend has received a letter from the chairman of the education committee of Nottinghamshire county council setting out the committee's views on the capital allocation for 1989–90 and seeking to bring a deputation. I have agreed to meet a deputation of interested parties from Nottinghamshire.
§ Mr. AllenI am glad that the Minister is to meet a deputation, but the question asks whether he will meet parents and children in Nottingham, North. The Minister will find it difficult to explain to them why his Government are spending twice as much on one school—the city technology college—as they are spending on all the other schools in Nottingham put together. Will he come and try to explain that to the parents and teachers who are suffering?
§ Mr. ButcherI was in Nottingham last week. Had I had the chance, I would have explained to the people. The capital allocation this year is £3,215,000. That is 43 per cent of the bid, compared to the national average of 34 per cent. I shall look forward to receiving further observations when the deputation arrives.