§ 41. Mr. Stonehouseasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she is aware that over £500,000 worth of work in Walsall schools is required to improve standards and increase accommodation; and what action she intends to take to facilitate this programme.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeWalsall Local Education Authority has been authorised to start school building to a value of £2.86 million between 1972–73 and 1974–75, including £0.45 million for the improvement or replacement of old primary schools.
§ 42. Mr. Stonehouseasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) why the minor works programme for Walsall Local Education Authority has 151W been reduced for 1974–75 compared to 1973–74, in view of the fact that Walsall's school population is rising and costs are rising;
(2) if she will increase the minor works allocation to the Walsall local education authority to enable the completion of major new school and improvement programmes.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeThe size of minor works allocations is mainly related to the expected rate of growth in the school population. In Walsall the rate of growth is expected to fall in 1974, and my right hon. Friend is therefore unable to increase the size of the authority's allocation.