§ Mr. G. Elfed Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the reasons for the delay in commencing the building of the new comprehensive school at Ferndale, Rhondda; if he will speed up his decisions on this matter; and when building is likely to commence.
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§ Mr. RedheadI understand that the delay on this project has been due mainly to difficulties in acquiring a site. These have now been resolved and sketch plans were submitted on 17th June. Unfortunately the authority's estimate of cost was about £140,000 in excess of the cost limit for this project. Several discussions have been held between the authority and the Education Office for Wales during which means of reducing the excess cost have been explored. The authority's revised proposals are now awaited and if they are acceptable it is hoped that preliminary site levelling works will be able to start in a month or so.