§ 36. Sir G. de Freitasasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she is aware of the overcrowding 329W in primary schools in Northamptonshire; what extra accommodation for primary school children she expects to provide in Northamptonshire between 1st July, 1972, and 30th June, 1973; and at what approximate cost.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeThe proportion of primary classes in Northamptonshire with more than 40 pupils fell from 6.3 per cent. in 1970 to 4.3 per cent. in 1971, and the figure for this year is likely to be even better. The additional £160,000 for minor projects in the county in 1972–73 which my right hon. Friend authorised in March will help the local education authority to deal with any remaining pockets of overcrowding. Apart from this, the authority expects to take into use by June, 1973, nearly 2,000 additional primary school places, at a cost, including the replacement and improvement of other primary school accommodation, of £1.2 million.