§ Sir W. MENZIESasked what is the number of scholars in average attendance in primary and secondary schools in Scotland respectively; and in what estimated proportion will the balance (£421,000) of the Scottish Education Fund be divided between them?
§ The LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. Ure)The average attendance in higher class schools for the year 1908 was 17,489. There were in addition 19,932 scholars receiving secondary education in the higher grade departments of primary schools. The average attendance of pupils in primary departments was 692,144. As regards the second part of the question of the hon. Member, the Act directs the balance referred to to be distributed to local authorities for the various purposes enumerated in section 17 of the Act, and it is impossible to discriminate between these purposes so as to say what proportion of the expenditure should be attributed to 603 secondary and what to primary scholars. In any case, till the proposals of the district committees for the expenditure of the sums allotted to them have been received it is not possible to give even approximately the estimate asked for.