§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will give an assurance that any proposals that he may be intending to make during the next few weeks on economy cuts affecting matters which fall within the responsibility of his Department will be made before the House of Commons adjourns for the Summer Recess and that this will be done if only on the basis of advising the House of Commons of his intentions if full and complete details of same are not available by the commencement of the recess.
§ Mr. MulleyLast Friday I informed the House of the total starts value of building programmes for schools in 1976–77 and I have today announced the corresponding figures for higher and further education. Provision for current expenditure, after consultation with the local authorities, will be made in a rate support grant order which will be laid before the House later this year.
Mr. R. C. Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to announce the building programmes for further and higher education for the year 1976–77; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MulleyFor the 12 months beginning 1st April 1976 I shall be ready to authorise starts on major further and higher education building projects to a value of about £28 million at current prices. The University Grants Committee will have £8 million of this total at its disposal and will be settling the detailed programme for universities. These allocations compare with allocations of £56 million and £15 million respectively for 1975–76. My Department will be in touch with the local education authorities and providing bodies in England and Wales about the choice of individual projects in advanced further education—including teacher training—and in non-advanced further education.