§ 82. Mr. Solleyasked the Minister of Education whether in view of the fact that the Essex education committee are not satisfied that sufficient priority has been given to the provision of schools in connection with the L.C.C. plans to build over 5,000 houses at Aveley and 6,000 houses at East Tilbury, he will arrange priorities so that the rate of construction of schools will keep pace with that of houses.
§ Mr. TomlinsonI am informed by the Essex local education authority that at East Tilbury no steps have yet been taken to develop the L.C.C. estate. At Aveley the lay-out of the whole L.C.C. estate has not yet been settled. Plans for a new junior school at Stifford Road, Aveley, have recently been received from the local education authority and are being considered urgently. Steps will be taken at the appropriate stage to secure the necessary priorities for this and other school accommodation required on these estates.
§ 85. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Education to what extent progress has been made in meeting the expanding demand for adequate primary and secondary school accommodation in new housing areas in the county of Essex; and whether the Essex education authority are now satisfied with his plans for 1947 and thereafter.
§ Mr. TomlinsonPlans for 20 new schools or extensions to existing schools have been approved by the Ministry under the 1947 school building programme for Essex, and work has been started in 10 of these projects. Plans of one other school are now being considered at the Ministry, and further schools are being planned by the authority. Most of these new schools will serve new housing areas. The school building programme has been drawn up in consultation with the local education authority and I have no ground for thinking that the authority are dissatisfied with it, having regard to the limitations imposed by the shortages of labour and materials available at the present time.