HC Deb 31 March 1925 vol 182 cc1088-9
34. Mr. JOHNSTON

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the Scottish Education Department has yet considered the appeal made by the Dundee Nursery School Committee that the Department should encourage and assist the Dundee Education Authority to save the nursery school in Dundee from extinction?

Captain ELLIOT

Yes, Sir. The appeal referred to in the question has been carefully considered, and I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the answer which the Department have addressed to the Committee.

Mr. JOHNSTON

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether the answer is in the affirmative?

Captain ELLIOT

I always understood that "Yes" was an answer in the affirmative.

Mr. JOHNSTON

May I point out that the hon. Member did not say whether he had acceded to the, appeal or not; but simply that, he had sent a reply.

Captain ELLIOT

I am asked whether I have considered the appeal.

Mr. JOHNSTON

The second part of the question asks whether he will encourage and assist.

Captain ELLIOT

There is only one part of this question, which asks whether I have considered the appeal that the Department should encourage and assist.

Mr. SCRYMGEOUR

May we take it that the hon. Member has answered that the Department cannot give such a grant, and that the matter rests entirely with the local authority?

Captain ELLIOT

I am circulating the full answer. Perhaps the matter will be best considered when the hon. Member has seen the answer.