School Building Programme

HC Deb 15 November 1951 vol 493 cc53-4W

78. Mr. Chetwynd

asked the Minister of Education what cuts are planned in the school building programme.

80. Mr. Peart

asked the Minister of Education what restrictions are to be placed on new school building.

Mr. Pickthorn

Until the Government have completed the review of capital expenditure in 1952, which was announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 7th November, no decision will be taken to alter the educational building programme.

82. Mrs. Corbet

asked the Minister of Education what effect the decision not to grant new starting dates within the next three months will have on the building of schools urgently needed in London.

Mr. Pickthorn

It is impossible at this stage to assess the effect on the London school building programme of the decision to which the hon. Member refers. If the Government's object of relieving the overloading of the building industry is achieved, schools already started and those whose starting dates are delayed may be brought into use earlier than would otherwise have been possible.