§ 104. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Education if she is aware that several local education authorities in Staffordshire are unable to make a 5 per cent. 57W cut in their expenditure without impairing the essential fabric of their services, and what action she proposes to take.
§ Miss HorsbrughCircular 242 does not ask authorities to make a 5 per cent. reduction in their expenditure, but to aim at a reduction of about that amount in reviewing their Forecasts for 1952–53, which were prepared last autumn. I have now received letters on this subject from two of the seven local educational authorities in the geographical County of Staffordshire. As I told the hon. Member in a previous answer, one of these letters did not call for any action on my part; the other is receiving consideration.
§ 106. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Education how many new schools are at present being built, and how many are planned to start in 1952, under the Stafford County Education Authority.
§ Miss HorsbrughOn 31st December last there were 24 new schools under construction in Staffordshire, together with four major extensions to existing schools. The revised 1952–53 building programme is now being discussed with the Authority. It will probably include
Year Increases or decreases in the numbers of children attaining the age of: New school places brought into use 5 11 — Primary Secondary* 1945 … … -24,000 — 1st April, 1945 to 1st October, 1949 139,483 213,858 1946 … … -10,000 +10,000 1947 … … +73,000 +6,000 1948 … … +28,000 +11,000 1949 … … +58,000 +6,000 1950 … … -68,000 -6,000 2nd October, 1949 to 1st October, 1950 86,684 41,945 1951 … … +135,000 -22,000 2nd October, 1950 to 1st October, 1951 115,163 38,972 TOTAL … +192,000 +5,000 341,330 294,775 1952 … … +66,000 -9,000 * Includes places to provide for the raising of the school leaving age from 14–15.