HC Deb 05 February 1974 vol 868 cc288-9W
Mr. Cordle

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what will be the effects of public expenditure cuts on educational building programmes in the city of Bournemouth and Christchurch.

Mr. Raison

The Department's Circular 15/73 announced that of major school building projects only those to meet basic needs for additional places would be eligible for approval between 1st January 1974 and 30th June 1975. Two major projects to replace old primary schools in the Bournemouth local education authority area, Boscombe Church of England Junior School and Holy Cross Roman Catholic Primary School, will therefore be delayed until after June 1975. No projects in the Christchurch area of the Hampshire authority are affected. Local education authorities are responsible for deciding which minor projects should be carried out within their minor works allocations.

Mr. Beith

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which school building proposals of the Northumberland County Council will be affected by the public expenditure cuts.

Mr. Raison

The Department's Circular 15/73 announced that of major school building projects only those to meet basic needs for additional places would be eligible for approval between 1st January 1974 and 30th June 1975. Replacement projects for Red Row County Infants School, Ellington County Infants School, Buddle County Middle School in Wallsend and Blyth Roman Catholic Aided Primary School will therefore be delayed until after June 1975.

Mr. Ford

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which school projects have been deleted from the 1974–75 and 1975–76 building programmes for the Bradford metropolitan district as a result of the Government's economy measures.

Mr. Raison

The following major improvement/replacement projects, programmed to start in the year 1974–75, will be deferred until after 30th June 1975:

  • Wood Royd First.
  • St. Augustine's C/E First.
  • Thornton C/E First.
  • Daisy Hill Middle.
  • Bankfoot First.
  • Shipley Wrose First.
  • Queensbury First.
  • Ilkley, All Saints C/E First
  • Keighley Swire Smith Middle.
  • Shipley Wrose Middle.

Arrangements for the period following June 1975 have yet to be decided.

Mr. Redmond

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which major works programmes will be affected in Bolton due to recent cuts in public spending; and what the effect will be on the number of school places in the immediate foreseeable future.

Mr. Raison

One major project, to improve Oxford Grove Primary School, planned to start during 1974–75, will be deferred under the terms of Circular 15/73. This deferment will not affect the number of school places available.