§ 111. Mr. Stevensasked the Minister of Education what response he has received from county education authorities to the proposals for rural reorganisation made in paragraph 5 of Circular 283.
§ Sir D. EcclesThe county education authorities have done even better than I hoped. It is already clear that they are determined to get all these projects started well within the five years which I have suggested. They have proposed to add to the 1955–56 building programme about 140 new schools or major enlargements needed for rural reorganisation. The completion of these will provide about 40,000 school places, and will make possible the reorganisation as junior schools of some 775 all-age schools in rural districts.
§ Mr. G. Thomasasked the Minister of Education the number of county borough education authorities which have sought permission to complete reorganisation schemes in their areas; and the number to whom permission has not yet been granted.
152W
§ Sir D. EcclesFour authorities have made proposals to add building projects to the 1955–56 programme for the purpose of carrying out urban reorganisation. For reasons which I have explained in Circular 283, I have not approved these proposals.
§ Mr. G. Thomasasked the Minister of Education (1) to make a statement concerning his plans for reorganisation of schools in urban areas; and by what date he hopes to complete these plans;
(2) the number of school places needed to complete reorganisation of schools in urban areas.
§ Sir D. EcclesIn January, 1954, there were 149,000 children in the senior classes of all-age schools and departments in urban areas. As I have explained in paragraph 5 of Circular 283, I expect that this number will continue to be reduced by school building undertaken primarily for other purposes. I cannot yet say how much building will eventually be needed for the specific purpose of completing reorganisation in urban areas or when it will be possible to carry it out.