§ 87. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Education the total value of projects proposed to him by the Staffordshire local education authority for the 1956–57 school building programme; and the total value of projects he has approved.
§ Sir D. EcclesThe figures are about £4 million and about £1½ million respectively.
§ 91. Dr. Kingasked the Minister of Education whether he will issue a circular to all local education authorities making clear to them that it is the Government's intention that local education authorities shall not cut their school building programmes.
§ Sir D. EcclesNo. I think that local education authorities are fully aware that, in accordance with the recent pronouncements by the Government, they are expected to proceed with the projects in58W the announced building programme. If any authority considers that it should, on grounds of economy or efficiency, delay the start of any building for rural reorganisation, it may do so provided that all work needed for complete reorganisation will be started within the five years laid down in Circular 283. There remains some £10 million of minor works which I do not control. These should be closely scrutinised by local authorities and projects which are not urgently needed should be postponed.