To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science under what circumstances and under what conditions he permits the construction of secondary schools whose estimated structural life is less than 60 years; and what policy he adopts in respect of such schools now nearing the end of any short-term estimated life span.

New school building projects for maintained and grant-maintained schools are required to comply with the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1981 and the Department's construction standards. These do not stipulate a minimum structural life.