§ Dr. Kingasked the Minister of Education if he will state for the years 1954–55 and 1955–56 those local education authorities which failed to start one or more projects in their major building programme; and how many projects were affected in each case.
§ Sir D. EcclesBy 1st April, 1955, the following numbers of major projects in the 1954–55 programme were not ready 71W to receive my final approval. I cannot say precisely what projects in addition to these were approved but not started.
Area Number of project Bedfordshire 1 Carrabridgeshire 2 Essex 2 Norfolk 1 London 1 Middlesex 1 Staffordshire 1 Smethwick 1 Stoke-on-Trent 3 West Bromwich 1 Birmingham 8 Leeds 2 Rotherham 1 Sheffield 1 Darlington 1 Bolton 1 Preston 2 Gloucestershire 1 Northampton 1 Northamptonshire 1 Lincolnshire-Hollland 1 Berkshire 1 Hampshire 2 Southampton 2 Canterbury 1 Surrey 4 Sussex East 1 I will send the hon. Member the comparable figures for the 1955–56 programme as soon after 1st April next as I can.
§ Dr. Kingasked the Minister of Education the value of the major building programme approved for 1956–57; and how much he hopes to reduce it by the measures announced in Circular 298.
§ Sir D. EcclesThe total value of major projects in the educational building programme approved for 1956–57 is about £70 million. In answer to the second part of the Question, I cannot add to the reply I gave on 1st March last to the hon. Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd).