§ 15. Dr. Kim HowellsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what funds have been allocated to local education authorities to meet the costs of repair and maintenance to the fabric of primary and secondary schools in 1991–92.
§ Mr. FallonOver £650 million has been allowed for the recurrent costs of school repairs and maintenance in setting 1991–92 education standard spending. Local education authorities are free to decide how much to spend 804 on the repair and maintenance of schools from whatever overall recurrent and capital resources are available to them.
§ Dr. HowellsAre the Minister and his right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State proud of the fact that many of our kids—not necessarily those of Cabinet Ministers, by the way—are being educated in schools that are ramshackle and shabby and which mark us down as having one of the most philistine Administrations in the past 50 years? What will he do to make the education of our children a priority and to put them in the buildings that they deserve?
§ Mr. FallonWe have increased schools capital by some 15 per cent. to some £472 million from this April. As my right hon. and learned Friend has already told the House, there is a 16 per cent. increase in the education standard spending assessment for current expenditure.