§ 63 and 64. Mr. McKayasked the Minister of Education (1) if she is aware that, in cutting down the Northumberland school-building programme, five schools in the Wallsend Parliamentary Division, two primary schools and one modern school at Longbenton, and two grammar schools at Killingworth, will not be proceeded with; that this will result in short-time attendance at school in two years' time; and if she will reconsider this programme;
(2) why the hon. Member for Wall-send has had no reply to his letter of 12th September, asking to what extent the school-building programme of the Northumberland County Council had been cut, and what the result would be on short-time attendance at school in two years' time.
§ Miss HorsbrughI am aware that the five projects referred to were not included in the school-building programme for 1953–54. After hearing the views expressed by a deputation from the Northumberland education authority, which I was awaiting before answering the hon. Member's letter, I have decided to add to the programme one of the two grammar schools proposed at Killingworth. I have no evidence that there will be any need for short-time attendance in the area.
§ 66. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Minister of Education whether she has now sanctioned the building of a new school at Fairwater, Cardiff; and when building operations will commence.
§ Miss HorsbrughI have included a primary school at Fairwater in the educational building programme for 1952–53, but I have not yet been able to approve the building of the school because the cost on tender is excessive. The Cardiff local education authority have been asked to reconsider the cost.