§ Mr. Oswaldasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make an announcement regarding the limits of cost for school building.
§ Mr. RossI am making two changes which w ill increase the limit of common cost for school building. First, certain items such as excavations, foundations and underbuilding, hitherto classified as common costs, are being reclassified as special costs outwith the prescribed limit. Second, the limit of common cost is to be the product of the total permissible area and £4 2s. 9d. (and not £3 18s. 9d. as hitherto). The detailed changes are being conveyed to the education authorities by circular.
In view of the increased limits, the total value of school building projects
196Wwhich authorities will be allowed to start will be increased as follows:
Year Previously Authorised £m New Level £m. 1966–67 19.1 20 1967–68 24 26 1968–69 24 26 1969–70 24 26