§ MR. MACFARLANE (Argyll)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland why the Scotch Education Department have refused to declare the Ballanoch Public School a centre under Article 21 of the Scotch Code, which would entitle it to a grant of 10s. instead of 4s.; whether Her Majesty's Inspector has passed the school as "good," subject only to some improvements which have been duly executed; and whether he is aware that the school rate in that locality is now abnormally high, being nearly 2s. in the pound?
§ THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Sir G. TREVELYAN,) Glasgow, BridgetonThe question of re-organising this school as a centre under Article 21 was brought before the Department in 1888, and the proposal was refused on the ground that the school staff was insufficient. More recently the request was renewed, but it was felt to be inexpedient to re-open the question at a time when the organisation of centres for Secondary Education is under the consideration of the County Committee. The premises have not been reported as good, and Her Majesty's Inspector has stated that no improvement will render them permanently satisfactory. According to the last Return the school rate in the district was 1s. 10d.