§ Mr. Stallardasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, in view of the implications arising out of the collapse of the roof of a part of the Camden School for Girls, she will initiate a thorough and public inquiry into the causes of this disaster, and its possible repercussions on many similar structures, and if she will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ThatcherMy overriding concern at this stage has been to take all steps necessary to ensure the safety of schoolchildren and others using educational premises. Following discussions between my officers and the consulting engineers I have advised the local education authorities concerned to make an immediate check on a small number of other educational buildings in a similar form of construction which might be at risk. I propose to give all local education authorities the information at present available to me to enable them to carry out more extensive inspections of buildings if they consider it desirable. I shall also arrange for a detailed technical study and I am now considering what form this might best take.