§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the number of sub-standard pre-1903 infant and junior school buildings in England and Wales, and the number which will be replaced, and the number which will be improved, respectively, in each of the years 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1975, according to the Government's programme of capital expenditure on primary schools covering this period.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeAccording to the latest returns made by local education authorities, there are about 6,800 primary schools in England and Wales built before 1903 not approved for replacement in building programmes up to and including 1971–72 which require replacing or improving and for which there is a continuing need. 460 of these will be replaced or improved by major projects in 1972–73 at a cost of about £44 million and another 595 in 1973–74 at a cost of £48 million. It is not possible without disproportionate expenditure of money and manpower to distinguish the minority of schools which will be improved rather than replaced. A further £48 million will be allocated for this purpose in 1974–75 and individual proposals from local education authorities are now under consideration. In addition to this total of £140 million over three years authorities are able to use for improvements costing up to £40,000 each part of their minor works allocations of over £30 million a year.