§ 98. Dr. Kingasked the Minister of Education whether she will amend the procedure of her Department to enable local education authorities to acquire sites for new schools before such schools have been included by the Minister in a year's building programme.
§ Miss HorsbrughLocal education authorities are aware that in order to preserve the momentum of the building programme I am prepared to approve the acquisition of land for educational purposes where there is a reasonable assurance that they can start work on the land within five years. I have also told authorities that where they have special reasons for wishing to acquire land more than five years in advance of requirements, they should consult my Department before negotiations are begun.