§ 8. Mr. Andrew Dismore (Hendon)What has been the total increased capital allocation to schools in Hendon since May 1997. [81522]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Employment (Mr. Charles Clarke)Schools in Hendon have benefited from approximately £2.31 million of grant under the new deal for schools and to remove outside toilets. Nine schools in the hon. Gentleman's constituency have benefited. Both initiatives were launched by this Government after May 1997.
§ Mr. DismoreMay I thank my hon. Friend for that answer and say how much not only I, but the children at the schools affected welcome the additional funds? I recently visited Deansbrook school, which welcomes the announcement because it will no longer have to put up with old huts, but will have a brand new building. St. Vincent's primary school welcomes it because it can now merge on to one site instead of using a split site with a main road through the middle. Copthall school welcomes it because it will get a brand new building. That is excellent news for my constituency and I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his announcement
§ Mr. ClarkeI am grateful to my hon. Friend. I am finding it difficult to think of some controversy to generate. The truth is that many hon. Members on both sides of the House have appreciated the support that we have been able to give in capital spending to schools in their constituencies. Many schools that have been waiting for decades for resources to be spent on improving them are beginning to get them. There is much more to be done, but I believe that we are going down the right path.