§ Mr. F. Noel-Bakerasked the Minister of Education why he has refused to allow the Wiltshire Education Committee to provide temporary school accommodation on the Walcot Estate at Swindon.
§ Sir D. EcclesI considered that it should be possible, and less wasteful to build permanent schools in time. Two primary schools are under construction on the Walcot Estate and two more are in this year's building programme.
§ Mr. F. Noel-Bakerasked the Minister of Education if he will now hold a public inquiry into the question of school accommodation at Penhill, Swindon, in view of the inadequacy of present arrangements.
§ Sir D. EcclesNo. One new primary school has been opened this year, another will be ready next year and a minor project consisting of three classrooms has also been approved. In addition, a new secondary school is included in the current building programme.
§ Mr. F. Noel-Bakerasked the Minister of Education what steps he proposes to take to relieve the overcrowding in schools at Swindon.
§ Sir D. EcclesIn the building programmes for 1955–56 and 1956–57 I have approved eight primary schools, three secondary schools and two extensions to existing secondary schools in Swindon. The primary schools will provide 2,880 places and the secondary schools 990 places. These schools should meet the needs of the town up to 1960.