§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to announce the projects accepted for inclusion in his special building programme to assist comprehensive reorganisation.
§ Mr. MulleyLocal education authorities will be informed before Christmas of the projects, numbering over 200, which I have accepted for inclusion in the list of those eligible to start within the capital authorisation of £23 million set aside for projects to assist comprehensive reorganisation in England. These are projects to enable reorganisation to proceed which could not be implemented in any other way or to enable reorganisation to be fully effective in educational terms.
§ Mr. Ashtonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will now make a decision on the application by the Nottinghamshire County Council in respect of comprehensive re- 866W organisation in Retford and give such approval as is necessary for expenditure in connection with this matter.
§ Mr. MulleyI hope to announce my decision before Christmas. I will write to my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. Ashtonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what sum of money has been set aside by the Government under Circular 8/75 to achieve comprehensive reorganisation; which authorities have applied for this fund; how much they have been allocated; and on what criteria he has assessed their need.
§ Mr. MulleyIn answer to the first and third parts of the Question I would refer my hon. Friend to my answer of today to my hon. Friend the Member for Stockport, North (Mr. Bennett). Applications were received from all local education authorities in England apart from Avon, Barnsley, Brent, Buckinghamshire, Kingston-upon-Thames, Merton, Oxfordshire, Redbridge, Rotherham, Somerset, Trafford, Wiltshire and the Isles of Scilly. Authorities applying were required to put forward named projects and these have been carefully considered on their individual merits.