§ Mr. Kimballasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education if, in view of the closing of five new schools in Lincolnshire because of the danger to the children from falling ceilings, he will revise the specification for new school buildings.
§ Sir E. BoyleThe specification of forms of construction and of finishes for new school buildings is within the discretion of local education authorities. My noble Friend will consider what guidance he should give to them when further investigations have been made into this matter.
Commander Maitlandasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education if his attention has been drawn to dangerous weaknesses in certain ceilings of at least six new schools in Lincolnshire; to what he attributes these defects; what action he has taken; and whether other schools in other parts of the country are similarly affected.
§ Sir E. BoyleMy noble Friend's attention has been drawn to the failure of a few ceiling panels in five Lincolnshire schools. The cause is not yet clear, but may lie in the means by which the panels are suspended from the floor beams. The local education authorities responsible are taking steps to reinforce the suspension. One other similar case had previously been reported.