§ LORD BELSTEADMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the latest estimate of the increase in the numbers of maintained primary school pupils between 1968 and 1972; and what effect this estimated increase will have on school building costs during the same period.]
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, the latest estimate is 430,000. To provide new school places for this number costs nearly £110 million. Adequate provision has been made for pupil increases in these years in school-building programmes which are already announced up to 1970–71.
§ LORD BELSTEADMy Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for her Answer. Is it a correct deduction from the figure she has given that the increase is about 10 per cent., which is 3 per cent. more than the increase for the whole previous decade? May I also ask the noble Baroness whether she can give a little more information, first about the amounts for improvements and replacements within that £110 million, and, secondly, about the amount to be spent on minor works, as compared with previous years?
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, I am sorry to disappoint the noble Lord, but I am afraid that I have not a breakdown of the figures in the way he has asked. However, I shall be happy to send him the details. The estimate is based on the Government Actuary's most recent projection of live births which I would assume are on the increase.
§ LORD BELSTEADMy Lords, may I ask the noble Baroness one further supplementary question? With the primary school numbers rising so steeply, is it Government policy that there will come a moment, before the raising of the school-leaving age, when there will have to be a large extra increased projection of capital into primary schools?
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, I am sure the noble Lord will appreciate that again I cannot give him a precise answer. It follows from the figures I have given that a reconsideration is called for, and I think this is reflected in the Answer to the next Question, which touches on another point relative to the school-building programme.