§ 51. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has for modernising primary schools; and how much extra finance will be available for this purpose in the present financial year and the succeeding two years.
§ Miss Bacon:We have launched a continuing and systematic programme for the improvement and replacement of old schools. Most of the resources available—£11 million this year and about £17 million next year at the new cost limits—will go to primary schools. In addition to this specific provision for improvements and replacements, many basic need projects in the major programme contain an element of improvement and in some cases allow old schools to be taken out of use in areas of declining population. Authorities can also usually apply part of their minor works allocations to improvements. I cannot yet give a figure for 1972–73.