§ Mr. Perkinsasked the Minister of Education whether she will make a statement about secondary modern and primary schools in the Stroud area about which she has already had representations.
§ Miss HorsbrughThe Gloucestershire local education authority has pressed me to include in its 1954–55 school building programme a new primary school to serve the Cashes Green housing estate. I have 89W been unable to do so because I am satisfied that, by the use of transport and by the adjustment of the catchment areas of existing schools, the children from the new houses can for the time being be accommodated in schools in and near Stroud, in accordance with the policy for school building laid down in Circular 245.
I do not consider that the need for a new secondary school at Stroud, for which the authority has also asked, can be regarded as urgent. I am writing to my hon. Friend to explain more fully the reasons for my decisions.