§ MR. WILKIE (Dundee)To ask the Secretary for Scotland if his attention has been drawn to the statement issued by the representatives of the authorities in the educational areas adversely affected by the substituted scheme of distribution of the balance of the education fund; if so, in view of the statement of the Government as to the education fund being distributed according to the educational necessities of the districts, can he see his way to re-arrange or modify the distribution of the education fund on the prin- 1376 ciples laid down in the statement referred to.
(Answered by Mr. Sinclair.) I am fully acquainted with the views of the authorities in question, as these have been presented to me by two successive deputations. I am also aware that these views are strongly opposed to those of the representatives of a greater number of districts. The distribution of the fund, as shown in the Return ordered to be printed on 3rd June, conforms to the instructions of Clause 15 (2) of the Bill, and I do not see my way at present to propose any other mode of distribution.