Oral Answers to Questions — Education and Science – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 6 May 1965.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science in what way provision of classrooms, showers, toilets, and other accommodation at Bideford East of Water falls short of the standards laid down by his Department.
I understand from the Devon Authority that the teaching area of the school is 1,600 sq. ft. below the minimum standard. The school is short of five toilet fittings and seven washbasins, and there is an insufficient supply of warm water. There is no staff room. Both the site and playing fields are below the minimum size laid down. There is no requirement for showers in a primary school.
Will the Minister bear in mind the very real problems through which this school is going and also that it is in a development district and therefore is an area with a rising population? Will he see that adequate funds are provided so that the school can be rebuilt?
The Devon local education authority included this school among its proposals for the programmes from 1965 to 1968. It was not included in the programmes approved by the late Government. The authority has recently made further representations with particular reference to the point, which the hon. Member has made, about it being in a development district. We are considering these carefully at the moment.