§ Mr. John Garrettasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when local education authorities may expect to be told what their share is of the £25 million he has set aside in the 1976–77 school building programme for special projects to assist secondary school reorganisation; how this compares with provision in previous year; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MulleyThis is the first time any Government have set aside resources specifically for the development of comprehensive education, and the circular I issued today jointly with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State 217W for Wales invites authorities to submit by 15th October special bids for projects for consideration against the £25 million allocation. My Department hopes to tell individual authorities by the end of November which of their projects capable of quick completion are eligible to start under this part of the programme. I hope these special arrangements will enable authorities which have been hindered by shortage of building resources to get on more quickly with the full and effective development of reorganisation on comprehensive lines.