§ 47. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the cost of building the Marr College, Troon; when it was completed; what has been the cost of its maintenance Since its completion; and what action he intends to take to have the college made available for secondary education in Scotland?
§ Mr. SKELTONThe Department have no access to the accounts relating to the 2058 erection and maintenance of the Marr College but it is understood that the cost of erecting and equipping the building as about £200,000 and that the work was completed in the summer of 1930. With regard to the last part of the question, the availability of the college for secondary education depends upon the final settlement of the scheme prepared by the Endowments Commissioners. Every effort is being made to expedite this.
§ Lieut.-Colonel MOOREIs the hon. Member aware that for three years past parents of children throughout Scotland have been waiting to get their children into this college? Can he not take some definite and immediate steps to force the Educational Endowments Commission to settle this long overdue problem?
§ Mr. SKELTONI am well aware of the delay and the difficult questions which are involved. As I stated in reply to the hon. and gallant Member not long ago, we have made efforts to see whether there is any system or method by which the college could be provisioNaily opened, but this has been found to be impracticable. The delay involved in the final settlement of the scheme is due to the large sum of money involved, and, while I am making every possible effort to expedite it, I cannot say that the college will be opened before, say, next September.