HC Deb 16 June 1955 vol 542 cc27-8W
74. Mr. Swingler

asked the Minister of Education to state the figures for the increases in the primary and secondary school populations, respectively, between 1st April, 1945, and 1st April, 1955; and the numbers of new primary and secondary school places, respectively, provided by new building in this period, based upon the normal capacities of the schools constructed.

Sir D. Eccles

The number of pupils of primary and secondary school age in maintained and assisted schools (other than nursery and special schools) is estimated to have risen by 975,000 and 515,000 between January, 1946, and January, 1955, the nearest dates for which the information is available. Between the end of the war and January, 1955, 832,490 and 515,910 places were provided by new building in primary and secondary schools.

75. Mr. Swingler

asked the Minister of Education to state the figures for the increases in the primary and secondary school populations, respectively, in the excepted district of Newcastle-under-Lyme between 1st April, 1945, and 1st April, 1955; and the numbers of new primary and secondary school places, respectively, provided by new building in this period, based upon the normal capacities of the schools constructed.

Sir D. Eccles

Between January, 1946, and January, 1955, the nearest dates for which the information is available, the numbers of pupils in maintained primary and secondary schools in Newcastle-under-Lyme increased by 1,650 and 1,375, respectively. Between the end of the war and January, 1955, the Staffordshire Local Education Authority provided about 1,120 new primary and about 1,450 new secondary school places.

76. Mr. Swingler

asked the Minister of Education if he is aware of the need for additional primary and secondary school places in the excepted district of Newcastle-under-Lyme; and if he will consider whether additional projects can be approved at an early date.

Sir D. Eccles

The Staffordshire Local Education Authority have included two primary schools and one secondary school in Newcastle-under-Lyme among their proposals for the 1956–57 school building programme, which I am now considering.