§ Dr. O'DONOVANasked the Parliamentary Secretary of the Board of Education whether his Department is cognisant of the fact that the Oldbury Education Committee have planned provision for school buildings in their area that will be adequate for all children in the area of school age, including 300 for whom provision might have been expected to be made by the erection of a non-provided school; and has the Board of Education authorised the commencement of building on this principle?
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMMy Noble Friend presumes that the hon. Member refers to the problem of school supply in the Warley district of Oldbury. He understands that a proposal for the provision of a non-provided school in this district for children resident in Birmingham and Smethwick as well as in Oldbury, is under consideration. No public notice, as required by Section 18 of the Education Act, 1921, has yet been issued, however, and in the absence of such notice my Noble Friend is not in a position to form any opinion regarding the provision which might have been or might be expected to be made by the erection of a non-provided school. He has no reason to think, however, that the proposals of the local education authority which he has so far sanctioned for the provision of a new council school for 300 junior children to replace temporary accommodation at present in use, are such as to prejudice the consideration of a proposal for a new non-provided school.