§ 56. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Education what were the special reasons for the failure of education authorities in Surrey, Kent, Middlesex, Staffordshire, Lancashire and Birmingham to start, respectively, 35, 23, 21 20, 14, and 14 191W schools which he had approved in their building programmes for 1955–56; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the children in these areas do not suffer a higher degree of overcrowding as a result.
§ Sir D. EcclesThe chief reason in all cases has been a shortage of the professional staff needed to carry out an enlarged building programme. Most of the projects in question should be able to start within the next few months.
§ 58. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Education how many school projects were included in the original 1956–57 building programme; and when he expects to be able to tell local authorities how many of them will be deferred as a result of their inability to start 330 projects included in the 1955–56 programme.
§ Sir D. EcclesThere were 774 major primary and secondary school projects in the 1956–57 building programme. I cannot say how many of these will have to be deferred.