asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, in view of the disappointment in Leyton at his decision not to authorise the building of a new Church Mead Infants' School, despite the Essex County Education Committee's approval, and in view of the urgent need for this school, whether he will now reconsider his decision.

I have received no representations about this project. I will consider any case put to me by the Essex Authority but I cannot add to the 1965–66 school building programme, which is now authorised in full.

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman appreciate that this is a very old school—nearly 100 years old—and that it is very dark, lacks amenities, and is very noisy, and that there is a unanimous desire, especially as land is available, that the building should be destroyed and a better one put in its place? Will he give sympathetic consideration to the question if the local education authority and the local borough council approach him again?

I will consider any representations, subject to the general qualification that I made in my original Answer. I am aware of the conditions at this school, and I agree that new buildings are desirable.