§ Mr. Footasked the Minister of Education whether she is aware that the Devon County Education Committee has now decided to purchase land in seven towns for the extension of school buildings or the building of new schools, these seven towns being Axminster, Bideford, Crediton, Cullompton, Ilfracombe, Sidmouth and Tavistock; whether sites have been or are being acquired in any of these towns either by negotiation or under compulsory powers; and, if so, whether she can state the area, the price, and the previous rateable value of each of the sites.
§ Miss WilkinsonThe Devon Local Education Authority are, with my approval and with the assistance of the district valuer, negotiating for sites at Tavistock and Crediton, both of which are agricultural land which is not assessable for rates. The purchase prices will be recommended by the district valuer. The authority desire to enter into negotiations for a site at Axminster, the purchase of which by 97W compulsion was stopped by the outbreak of war, and they have in view a site at Bideford but have not yet opened negotiations. No site has yet, according to my information, been selected at Cullompton, Ilfracombe or Sidmouth.
§ Mr. Weitzmanasked the Minister of Education, if the negotiations have been completed for the purchase by the L.C.C. of 2.1 acres of land at Abney Park, Stoke Newington, for a new elementary school; what is the price agreed upon; and whether this land had previously any rateable value.
§ Miss WilkinsonNegotiations for the purchase of this property are not yet complete and the price cannot therefore be given. The site consists of parts only of existing properties and I regret, therefore, that I am not able to state the previous rateable value.