§ 21. Mr. MullinTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the current backlog in repairs and maintenance of schools; and if he will make a statement.
§ 73. Mr. NellistTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the current backlog in repairs and maintenance of schools; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FallonThe Department keeps no detailed data on the state of school buildings, which are the responsibility of local education authorities and governors of voluntary aided schools.
A realistic estimate of the cost of remedying deficiencies, based on a survey of school buildings in 1986, is about £2 billion at 1990 prices. Some £2.6 billion at 1990 prices is estimated to have been spent on school building between 1986–87 and 1989–90, mostly on new school places and reorganisation schemes to remove surplus capacity. A substantial proportion will, however, have gone towards remedying deficiencies.
§ 66. Mr. Nicholas BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has to improve the physical condition of schools.
§ Mr. FallonThe physical condition of maintained schools is the responsibility of local education authorities, shared in the case of voluntary aided schools with governing bodies. It is for them to decide their spending priorities. We are making significant resources available. Annual capital guidelines for capital expenditure on schools and colleges in England are £485 million this year compared with £352 million under the old system of allocations for 1989–90. Local authorities are free to spend above that level by using capital receipts and other sources of income including revenue. In addition, £109 million of grant is available for voluntary schools compared with £86 million available last year.
§ 71. Mr. CrowtherTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received about the backlog in repairs and maintenance in schools.
151W
§ Mr. FallonMy right hon. Friend has received a number of letters and other representations from local education authorities, hon. Members and others about the repair and maintenance of school buildings.
§ 72. Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will arrange to visit maintained schools in Bradford in need of renovation and repair.
§ Mr. FallonMy right hon. Friend plans to visit Bradford on 31 October when he will be shown round Thornbury County first school before going on to open the new city technology college.