§ MR. DALRYMPLEasked the Vice President of the Council, If any estimate has yet been made of the money about to be borrowed from the Public Works Loan Commissioners for the erection of Schools in Scotland, under the Education Act 1872; of the annual cost likely to be levied on districts in Scotland for the repayment of the loan and the interest upon it; and of the rate per £1 of taxation which will be rendered necessary for the maintenance of such schools in future?
§ VISCOUNT SANDONThe Board of Education for Scotland have up to the 20th of February, 1875, sanctioned loans to 295 school boards, amounting to £883,197 19s. Eighteen applications for loans to the amount of £95,552 are under consideration. It is estimated that in all about £2,000,000 will be required for the erection of public schools in Scotland under the Scotch Education Act of 1872. No information has yet been given to us as to the annual charge upon districts for repayment. The Return moved for by the hon. Member for Edinburgh (Mr. M'Laren) in 1874 will shortly be presented, and will show the rates already levied in Scotland; but no estimate has been or can be formed of future rates for maintenance of schools, which will mainly depend upon the expenditure incurred by the school boards.