HC Deb 12 February 1963 vol 671 cc180-1W
Mr. van Straubenzee

asked the Minister of Education whether he will now make a statement on the size of the 1964–65 major educational building programme.

Sir E. Boyle

The authorised value of starts of teacher-training college projects in 1964–65 will be £9 million as compared with £6 million for 1963–64. This will include £2.5 million of the extra £7 million for the further expansion of training colleges which was recently announced.

The Government's current review of capital investment has not yet reached a stage at which a decision can be taken on the final size of the remaining 1964–65 educational programmes; but they have decided that the values of school, special school, and further education projects to be started should at least equal the comparable figures authorised for 1963–64, viz. £55 million, £2.6 million and £14.8 million respectively. The further education figures exclude the Colleges of Advanced Technology, the programme for which will be announced later.

In view of the need to give as much notice as possible, the Minister has decided to announce forthwith programmes designed to secure this level of starts in 1964–65; letters are being sent to local education authorities this week.

Details of projects for inclusion in the 1964–65 Youth Service programme have been asked for by 31st March next.