HC Deb 12 June 1990 vol 174 cc171-2W
21. Mr. Ronnie Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his most recent information regarding the condition of school buildings; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alan Howarth

The Department published the survey of school buildings in November 1987. Information is also received annually from local education authorities in their capital expenditure plans, from Her Majesty's inspectorate, and from representations by the local education authorities made from time to time. The maintenance of the buildings is a matter for the local education authorities and governors.

24. Mr. Caborn

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from local education authorities regarding the repair of school buildings.

55. Mr. John P. Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from local education authorities regarding the repair of school buildings.

61. Mr. Turner

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from local education authorities regarding the repair of school buildings.

Mr. Alan Howarth

I refer the hon. Members to the reply that I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Truro (Mr. Taylor).

28. Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much money has been allocated for the current financial year to each education authority for the specific purpose of repairing school buildings; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alan Howarth

Current funding for the repair of school buildings is not separately identified in the Government's revenue support grant allocations to individual authorities. Provision for such spending is included within the total grant settlement, which in 1990–91 allows for local authorities in England to spend nearly £15 billion on education. But it is for each local authority to decide how much to spend on repairing school buildings from the current resources available to it. Annual capital guidelines for local education authorities for 1990–91 were announced on 20 December 1989,Official Report, columns 254–58; again, it is for each local authority to decide its priorities for capital spending in the light of local needs and circumstances.