§ 4. Mr. TEMPLETONasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total amount paid from national and local revenue to the Roman Catholic Church following the transference of voluntary schools in Scotland to the education authorities; the amount which it, has cost the nation to advance the salaries of teachers in Roman Catholic schools to bring them up to the national scale and the amount which it has cost the nation to provide new schools for the Roman Catholic communion?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI regret that the statistics in my possession do not enable me to give a precise reply to my hon. Friend's question. The total expenditure by Scottish education authorities to the end of the financial year 1930–31 on the purchase of voluntary schools of all types transferred in pursuance of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1918, was 1589 approximately £771,000. Nearly all this sum was in respect of Roman Catholic schools, but without a special inquiry I am unable to state the precise amount or how much has been paid by way of rent for schools not purchased outright. The information asked for in the second part of the question could only be obtained by means of a special return from education authorities, and in present circumstances I do not feel I would be justified in asking them to provide this material. The cost of providing new Roman Catholic school buildings and additional accommodation at existing Roman Catholic schools is estimated at £1,335,000. I may add that the corresponding figure for schools other than Roman Catholic is £6,354,000.
§ Mr. HANNONMay I ask whether, in point of fact, the standard of education given in Catholic schools is not on as high a level as in State-aided schools?
§ Sir G. COLLINSIt is on the same basis, the same level.