asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools in the London County Council area are housed in buildings more than 80 years old.

I am informed by the L.C.C. that 259 maintained primary and secondary schools or departments in their area are housed in buildings more than 80 years old, but that many of them have been extended or renovated in recent times.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that far too many children going to some of the schools are being educated in slum conditions? Will he at least give an undertaking not to follow in the footsteps of his unlamented predecessor who savagely cut the L.C.C. schools rebuilding programme?

I am very well aware of this. This situation is, unfortunately, not confined to London. It will certainly be the hope of the present Government to make better progress with the whole problem.

When will the right hon. Gentleman be announcing the increased school building programme for 1965–68 to which the Labour Party is committed, particularly by the Minister for Land and Natural Resources at Question Time on 7th May?

Announcements about this and related matters will be made in due course.