§ 91. Mr. K. Lindsayasked the Minister of Education whether he is aware that officers, architects and surveyors are, at the request of his Department, being compelled to make detailed estimates of buildings and re-modelling of buildings for work which cannot be carried out within five years with consequent waste of time and effort; and if he will ask them to concentrate on five years' building plans in conformity, with the broad outlines of the development plans.
§ Mr. G. TomlinsonIf the hon. Member has in mind work on development plans, most authorities have now submitted these. As required by Section 11 (2) (b) of the Education Act, 1944, the plans have to include estimates of the cost of alterations required to bring school premises up to the prescribed standard. I am prepared, as announced in paragraph 3 of Circular 90 in March, 1946, to consider plans in which at this stage, the estimates are limited to those voluntary schools in which the estimate is 39W essential for the purpose of enabling the managers or governors to decide between aided and controlled status, leaving the estimates for the remaining schools to be made later. Further, in Circular 143 I have asked authorities to concentrate upon building projects which it is possible to carry out in 1947 and 1948. These projects have in fact been agreed with authorities and in many cases detailed plans have been approved.
§ 92. Mr. K. Lindsayasked the Minister of Education how many local education authorities have now submitted their development plans; what action he is proposing to take with regard to them; and whether it is now intended to make local education orders in conformity with the 1944 Act.
§ Mr. G. TomlinsonOne hundred and twenty-five local education authorities have now submitted development plans either in whole or instalments. These plans are being considered in my Department in consultation, where necessary, with the authorities concerned with a view to approval under Section 11 of the Education Act, 1944. The making of local education orders under Section 12 of the Act will be taken in hand after the expiry of the six months period allowed to managers and governors of voluntary schools under Section 15 (2) for the exercise of the options open to them as to the future status of the schools.
§ Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Education what number and what percentage of all local education authorities have submitted their development plans at the latest date for which figures are available; the names of those authorities which have not yet submitted their plans; and the reasons for delay in any special cases.
§ Mr. TomlinsonOne hundred and twenty-five local education authorities, or 85.6 per cent. of all local education authorities in England and Wales have now submitted development plans, in whole or instalments.
Plans have not yet been submitted by the following authorities but I know from consultation that has taken place between authorities and officers of my Department that a number of plans may be expected shortly.
40W
ENGLAND. Counties. Durham. Nottinghamshire. Middlesex. Staffordshire. Norfolk. Surrey.
County Boroughs. Bolton. Middlesbrough. Bradford Portsmouth. Burnley. Preston. Bury. Sheffield. Carlisle. Southport. Croydon. Stockport. Liverpool
WALES County Boroughs. Merthyr Tydfil. Newport (Mon.). The delay in these areas is understood to be due to special local difficulties, such as area replanning problems, shortage of staff, consultations with voluntary schools and their representatives.
§ Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Education, if he will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT an analysis of the proposed provision for secondary education in the development plans submitted up to the time of issuing Circular 144, giving the numbers of multilateral, bilateral, grammar, technical and modern schools, respectively; and the approximate numbers and percentages of pupils in England and Wales to be educated in each type of school.
§ Mr. TomlinsonThe preparation of the analysis suggested by my hon. Friend would absorb a large amount of time and labour which can be more usefully employed at this stage in considering and approving the development plans, but I shall be prepared to consider the suggestion further when the plans have been approved.