asked the Minister of Education how much money is to be allocated in this financial year to the improvement of existing school buildings.

The total allocation to local education authorities in England and Wales for minor works in the current financial year is £5·8 million, which is about 20 per cent. more than last year. Of this I expect that approximately £2·5 million will be spent on improvements to existing primary and secondary schools, as distinct from enlargements providing additional places.