§ 29. Mr. BUCHANANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of children who are attending school in Glasgow on a shift system; what steps are being taken to end this; and in what districts is this method of attendance being insisted on?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe arrangements referred to are at present operative in 679 certain schools in the following municipal wards: Anderston, Cowcaddens, Govan, Hutchesontown, Kinning Park, North Kelvin, Partick East, Pollokshaws, Provan, Ruchill, Shettleston, Spring-burn, Townhead and Whiteinch; and the number of children involved is approximately 4,724. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Springburn on 8th November.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that practically all the districts which he has mentioned are working-class districts and that none of them apply to the well-to-do areas? Will he not consider asking that the children in the working-class areas should be allowed to attend schools in the well-to-do areas, and thus avoid the shift system?
§ Sir J. GILMOUREvery effort is being made to overcome the difficulty, which we all know. Within the next week five or six of these areas will, I understand, be relieved.
§ Mr. W. THORNEDo we understand that the children who go to school in the morning gel: only three hours education in the day?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI understand that, under the abnormal circumstances at present existing in Glasgow by the reduction of the classes, the temporary expedient has been adopted, for a short time, of one class in the morning and one in the afternoon.
§ Mr. THORNEIs it not the case that the children in this area cannot get sufficient education in three hours a day?
§ Mr. MACKINDERWhen the right hon. Gentleman says that they are making every effort, does that include building schools?
§ Sir J. GILMOURYes.
§ Mr. BUCHANANWhen is the right hon. Gentleman going to see that schools are being built? We have been asking for it for five years, and we get the same old answer. When will the right hon. Gentleman justify his job?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI have already pointed out that within the next week it is hoped that the situation will be alleviated.
§ Mr. SIDNEY WEBBWhat is to be the fate of all the unfortunate children outside the five districts in which the necessary accommodation is about to be provided?
§ Sir J. GILMOURAs soon as it is possible to get sufficient accommodation, and that is rapidly progressing.
§ Mr. MACLEANWhat extra accommodation will the right hon. Gentleman be able to have?
§ Sir J. GILMOURIf the hon. Member will put down a question, I will answer it.