§ Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will issue a fresh circular to education authorities in Wales requesting them to give the fullest consideration to social effects of the closure of rural primary schools in addition to considering educational factors.
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§ Mr. Peter ThomasAs I said in my reply of 25th November, 1970 to the hon. Member, the Gittins Report carefully considered these problems before recommending the adoption of area schools. This Report, together with Wales Circular 3/69 provide adequate guidance for Education Authorities. The issue of a fresh circular is therefore not necessary.—[Vol. 807; c.163.]
§ Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many pre-1903 primary schools in Wales he expects to be replaced under the proposals announced by Her Majesty's Government last autumn, which would be additional to the average number of new primary schools which were built annually during the last five years.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasThe number of new primary school projects included in the annual major school building programmes for the period 1966–67 to 1970–71 were as follows:
1966–67 1967–68 1968–69 25 38 26 1969–70 1970–71 24 27 39 new primary school projects were included in the programme I announced on 2nd December, 1970. I expect 32 pre-1903 primary schools to be replaced as a result of this programme. Further proposals are under consideration.
§ Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many new primary schools he expects to be built in Cardiganshire in the next three years; and how many of these would replace pre-1903 schools.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasWithin the framework of the major school building programmes for 1970–72, two primary schools will be built both of which will replace pre-1903 schools. I cannot say whether the Authority plan to build any replacement schools from their minor works allocations in this period.
§ Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many schemes for the building of new primary schools within the next five years have been submitted to his Department by Cardiganshire Education Committee.
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§ Mr. Peter ThomasProposals for three new primary schools were considered for the major school building programme related to starts in 1971–72. One of these was withdrawn by the Authority, the other two have been included in the announced programme.
No primary school proposals were submitted by the Authority for the 1971–72 design list (starts 1972–73). I await the Authority's submission for the programme which will be related to starts in 1973–74.