§ 6. Mr. MACQUISTENasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many students were enrolled this session in the Glasgow and Edinburgh veterinary colleges, respectively?
§ The SOLICITOR-GENERAL for SCOTLAND (Mr. Thomas Cooper)The number of students attending the Glasgow Veterinary College during the academic year 1934–35 was 225 of whom 66 were newly enrolled. The corresponding figures in respect of the Royal Dick Veterinary College were 281 and 71.
§ 7. Mr. MACQUISTENasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, how much money in the way of annual grant, capital grant, and sum allocated for finishing departments, respectively, have been given to the Edinburgh Veterinary College since the date when the Glasgow Veterinary College was deprived of its annual grant?
§ The SOLICITOR-GENERAL for SCOTLANDFrom 1st April, 1925, to 31st March, 1935, a total sum of £35,050 has been advanced to the Royal Dick Veterinary College in respect of maintenance. No new capital grants were sanctioned during this period, but payments amounting to £15,507 have been made in respect of grants previously authorised towards the cost of erecting and equipping the college buildings.
§ 8. Mr. MACQUISTENasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether in view of the fact that the majority of veterinary students are the sons of people of small means and that those in the West of Scotland could not afford to attend the Edinburgh Veterinary College and therefore would get no opportunity of training if there was no Glasgow College, he will investigate the state of affairs at the Glasgow Veterinary College with a view to renewing the former grant?
§ The SOLICITOR-GENERAL for SCOTLANDIn the circumstances described by my hon. Friend the case of veterinary students from the West of Scotland could be met, by Section 4 of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1918, which empowers an education authority to give assistance where required, including any necessary costs of residence away from home, to enable any duly qualified person resident in their area to attend a central institution.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENCan the hon. and learned Gentleman explain why it is that Edinburgh has had this £50,000 in the last few years and Glasgow nothing? Could not the same educational facilities be extended to Glasgow?
§ The SOLICITOR-GENERAL for SCOTLANDI will undertake to bring that point to the attention of my right hon. Friend, with a view to his giving it further consideration.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIn view of the fact that the question sets out the need for a grant to Glasgow, will not the hon. and learned Gentleman consult with his right hon. Friend on the urgency of this matter, and communicate to him the feeling that as Glasgow has the largest population in Scotland it ought not to be treated any worse than the other city?
§ The SOLICITOR-GENERAL for SCOTLANDI will communicate my hon. Friend's representations to my right hon. Friend.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIt is just a case of Edinburgh getting the better of Glasgow.