asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, following the recent visit of the former Under-Secretary of State to certain schools in South Tyneside, he can now say which schools will be given priority for replacement in the near future.

Under current arrangements it is for the local education authority to decide what school building projects it would like to start within its lump sum authorisations. My right hon. Friend will announce allocations for 1976–77 when decisions on public expenditure make this possible.