HC Deb 19 February 1973 vol 851 c22W
Mr. Farr

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, in view of the fact that most of the Leicestershire Education Authority's minor works allocation has to be spent on mobile classrooms, she will increase this allocation to help the authority cope more readily with the expanding school population.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

Minor works allocations are related mainly to expected increases in authorities' school population. Leicestershire's allocation for the period 1972–74 was recently increased by £50,000, and is now 30 per cent. greater in real terms than in the two previous years. It is for authorities themselves to decide how to use their allocations.

Mr. Farr

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the number of primary schools in Leicestershire still using nineteenth century buildings; and what was the number five years ago.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

In June 1971, the only date for which figures are available in the Department, there were 134 such schools.