HC Deb 25 July 1977 vol 936 cc11-2W
Mr. Ward

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will announce the school building programme for 1978–79.

Miss Margaret Jackson

The authorised starts in 1978–79 on primary and secondary school building in England will total £135.8 million. Local education authorities are being informed of their individual allocations. They are also being invited to submit proposals for the nursery education building programme for 1978–79 which will total £3.4 million.

Mr. Ward

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will announce the building programme for higher and further education for 1978–79.

Mr. Oakes

My right hon. Friend has agreed that planning should proceed on major further and higher education build ing projects, expected to start in 1978–79, to a value of about £40 million at current prices. This includes £9 million for the universities, subject to further discussions with the University Grants Committee about future needs. The total also includes £6 million towards starting projects to provide the additional 10,000 places in non-advanced further education which my right hon. Friend announced recently, and it can be expected that much of the remainder will also be allocated to projects to help accommodate the forecast increased numbers of school leavers wishing to take non-advanced courses. My Department is in touch with local education authorities and providing bodies in England and Wales about the choice of individual projects in both advanced and non-advanced further education.

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