§ Mr. Temple-Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the effect of Joint Circular 123/76 upon the freedom of the Hereford-Worcester County Council to proceed with phase 1 of the replacement scheme for Leominster Junior School in 1977–78; if there exists any other Government decision or circular which could also affect that freedom; and, if so, how.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonDepartment of Environment Circular 123/76 (Department of Education and Science Circular 15/76) announced the curtailment of education capital programmes, with the exception of schools basic needs. DES Circular 16/76 explained that the reduction would be achieved by issuing revised lump sum allocations, but that authorities retained discretion to decide the priority of individual projects within their total allocations. Hereford and Worcester's 1977–78 allocation was reduced by £180,000, but I understand that the authority still gives high priority to the Leominster Junior School project in its school building programme.