Mr. BANEIELDasked the President of the Board of Education what local education authorities have recently erected schools built of timber; whether his Department made any grants towards the cost; and whether he has received any reports as to their suitability as permanent erections for educational purposes?
Mr. STANLEYIn addition to a number of proposals involving the use of timber for temporary school purposes, the board have, during the last five years, approved plans for permanent schools built wholly or partly in timber submitted by 17 local education authorities, the names of which I am sending to the hon. Member. The expenditure involved ranks for the board's grant at the normal rate payable in respect of school buildings. The information available in my Department suggests that timber buildings are suitable for permanent educational use provided that they are carefully designed and constructed with a view to avoiding heavy charges for maintenance and risks of fire.