Mr. HARVEY:

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that many local education authorities have been informed, on a preliminary consideration of their programmes of capital expenditure, that the Board would not look with favour on new expenditure for the provision of new school buildings; and whether he will encourage such authorities now to proceed with plans for new buildings in all cases where the existing accommodation is insufficient?

I have not enquired too closely into the advice which the Board have been giving recently to local education authorities in this matter. But, as it is the duty of local education authorities to provide sufficient school accommodation, I shall encourage them to perform their duty in this as in other matters.

Mr. HARVEY:

In view of the fact that a number of local authorities have held up necessary buildings in consequence of previous advice by the Board, will my right hon. Friend call the attention of the local authorities to the new policy of the Government?

I expect that the announcement I have made to the House to-clay will be received by most of the local authorities of the country.