§ Mr. Moonmanasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, in the course of his examination of the safety of school roofs, he has examined any school roofs in the county of Essex.
§ Mr. ArmstrongNo. My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Education and Science and for the Environment have jointly issued letters of warning and 341W advice to all authorities following the collapse of the roof of the swimming pool of a school in Stepney earlier this year, and officers are keeping in touch with authorities. I understand that a number of schools in Essex have been checked and that parts of five schools have been taken out of use pending further investigation. But direct responsibility for the safety and maintenance of their schools rests with local education authorities.