§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will specify in detail the criteria laid down by his Department that should be observed by local education authorities wishing to submit building programmes in respect of basic need projects for the three years 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84 and to improvements and replacements for the year 1981–82; and if he will make a statement on that part of his advice to local education authorities which relates to improvement or replacement.
§ Dr. BoysonI am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the Department's letter of 28 December 1979 which invited local authorities to submit bids for the school building programmes 1981–82, 1982–83 and 1983–84. The letter sets out the criteria which are, in the case of basic need, the estimated deficit of places in growth areas. In the case of improvements the criteria are the numbers of pupils in sub-standard schools, the number of pupils in such schools in areas of educational and social disadvantage, and the extent to which particular projects will assist authorities in taking surplus school places out of use.