HC Deb 07 May 1987 vol 115 cc517-8W
Sir George Young

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to fund capital projects in voluntary aided schools to enable them to meet minimum statutory requirements for premises.

Mr. Dunn

When making allocations in respect of capital expenditure by the governors of voluntary aided and special agreement schools, my right hon. Friend takes account of certain statutory requirements. In 1987–88 the allocations allowed for all the projects falling into the following categories: committed expenditure on projects already under way to which governors are legally and contractually committed; "basic need", that is new or expanded schools in areas of population growth; work related to statutory proposals approved by my right hon. Friend which the proposers are legally obliged to implement.

It was also possible to support 13 major projects which, while not statutorily necessary, were required to remedy severe dilapidation or to improve extremely inadequate accommodation. Further sums for minor works were made available to local authorities for them to apply in consultation with the governors of aided schools in their areas.

My right hon. Friend will continue to take account of statutory requirements, as well as the desirability of upgrading inadequate premises when making allocations in future years.