§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will publish in the Official Report the cash limits to be followed by local authority schools, other than voluntary aided or special agreement, in seeking emergency repairs; and whether prior consent of his Department for repairs over £100 is required.
§ Dr. BoysonIt is for local authorities to decide the level of expenditure on repair work at county and voluntary controlled schools. The prior approval of the Department is not required.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many requests he has received from voluntary aided and special agreement schools for emergency repairs over £100 in £50 bands to £5, 000; and how many requests were granted and how many refused.
§ Dr. BoysonThe Department has so far received about 100 requests for approval for emergency repairs at voluntary aided and special agreement schools costing between £100 and £5, 000, all of which have received approval to be carried out immediately. The total cost amounts to about £20, 000.
In addition, 235 applications, representing work to the value of £305, 571, have been received for repairs—excluding emergency repairs—costing between £100 and £5, 000 and minor capital works costing between £100 and £2, 500. Work totalling £217, 529 has been approved for an immediate start; the remaining work has been approved for a start over the period March to July.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will review the limit of £100 on emergency repairs which may be made without his approval at voluntary aided and special agreement schools; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BoysonDiscussions are continuing with representatives of the voluntary bodies at national level on all aspects of expenditure by voluntary aided and special agreement schools on repairs to their school buildings, including the limit of £100 on emergency work.