§ Miss Wrightasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from the Birmingham local education authority regarding its wish to reinstate the Polytechnic school of music in the 1980–81 further education capital programme at the expense of phase 3 of the extension and development of Handsworth technical college; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BoysonThe chief education officer wrote to my Department on 6 November asking that consideration should be given to the inclusion of the school of music scheme in the further education building programme for 1980–81 and that, if the necessary resources could not otherwise be made available, the possibility of deferring the Hands-worth project until a later financial year might be discussed. This approach is being urgently considered and the chief education officer was informed on 20 November that the authority will be sent a full reply as soon as possible.