HC Deb 12 November 1953 vol 520 cc88-9W
139. Mr. Murray

asked the Minister of Education how many new primary and secondary schools, and how many new establishments of further education, have been proposed by local education authorities since the present Government came into office; and how many such proposals have not received the necessary Ministerial approval.

Miss Horsbrugh

Local education authorities proposed for inclusion in the 1953–54 and 1954–55 building programmes 1,360 projects for new schools and 72 for new colleges of further education. Of these proposals, 855 school projects have been accepted, and 94 included in a reserve programme; and 42 further education projects have been accepted, five included in a reserve programme, and one withdrawn by the education authority.

147. Mr. Awbery

asked the Minister of Education if she has now given further consideration to the three of the nine schools which she excluded from the programme of the Bristol Education Committee; and if she is aware that these three schools are required to preserve the present position and not improve it and that her continued refusal will cause overcrowding in many schools.

Miss Horsbrugh

I have approved the inclusion of one of these three schools in the reserve list to the Bristol Authority's school building programme for 1954–55, and I have told them that if later there is a reasonable prospect of their being ready to start work on it before 1st April, 1955, I will consider its inclusion in the main programme. The authority are satisfied that these decisions will enable them to meet the needs of their area within the policy set out in Circular 245.