§ 18. Mr. HardyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what is his estimate of the capital spending required to ensure that all schools in England are brought into good repair and condition; and how much he expects will be spent on this purpose in the current year.
§ 26. Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what is his latest estimate of the amount needed to bring all schools in England to a satisfactory state of maintenance.
§ Mr. ForthAn estimate based on the 1986 survey of school buildings suggested that some £2 billion at 1990 prices was required to remedy deficiencies in school buildings. We estimate that over £4.5 billion will have146W been spent on schools in the years since, much of it in meeting the deficiencies identified. We forecast that about £760 million will be spent in the current year alone.
§ 29. Mr. LitherlandTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations he has received from the Manchester Education Committee relating to the funding of school repairs; and what plans he has to visit the city in the near future.
§ Mr. ForthMy right hon. Friend has no plans to visit the city in the near future. I shall, however, be seeing a delegation from the education committee on 8 November to hear their concerns about the level of funding of school repairs.