§ 60. Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action he proposes to take to improve the state of repair of schools.
§ Mr. Alan HowarthIt is primarily for each local education authority to ensure that the schools it maintains are kept in an acceptable state of repair. But my right hon. Friend is aware of concern that some school premises fall212W below that standard. Accordingly, Government plans for 1990–91 allow for capital borrowing by local authorities in respect of schools, colleges and other educational services of £436 million. For current spending, the Government's proposals for the 1990–91 local authority grant settlement allow for increased spending on repairs and maintenance relative to the levels assumed in the comparable total for 1989–90. Otherwise, the Department promotes improvements in the quality of school premises through the guidance issued by its architects and buildings branch.