§ Mr. Cyril Smithasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if she will make a statement about the latest position in relationto cuts in education building programmes, whether by direct or indirect action on the Government's part ;
(2) if she will make a statement on the inclusion of Oulder Hill School and Bishop Henshaw School of Rochdale in the starts programme for school buildings deferred by Government circular dated 12th October.
§ Mrs. ThatcherAs announced in Circular 12/73 the Government's intention is that programmes should be phased forward by not giving final approval to building projects between 8th October and the end of 1973. The result is that a number of projects, of which the two referred to are examples, will not be able to start until approvals are resumed. I 93W appreciate the difficulties this has caused. I expect to announce the arrangements for the resumption of approvals in the near future. Providing up-to-date tenders are available in January and they comply with the Department's requirements, final approval will be given quickly and work can start immediately afterwards.