HC Deb 26 May 1937 vol 324 cc271-2
38. Mr. R. Gibson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the facts that certain children attending the Highlanders' Academy, Greenock, have received verbal intimation from the headmaster that they have to cease attending the Highlanders' Academy and attend another school, that there is ample accommodation and teaching facilities available for these children, who are of Highland parentage, at the Highlanders' Academy, and that there is much resentment among the Highland parents concerned; and whether he has any statement to make on the subject?

Mr. Wedderburn

I am informed that a number of children have been recently transferred from five schools in Greenock to a new school, near to their homes, built to meet the needs of a developing district. The question of admission to or exclusion from a particular school lies within the discretion of the education authority, and having regard to the circumstances of the case my right hon. Friend does not feel that he would be justified in questioning the decision of the responsible local authority. I understand that at the Highlanders' Academy, which some of these children had been attending, there was not sufficient accommodation to provide a separate room for each class.

Mr. Gibson

Is the Minister not aware that in the Highlanders' Academy in Greenock there is accommodation for 910 scholars, whereas there are only 730 on the roll and that, therefore, in view of the honourable history of this institution and of the fact that these are children of parents who attend the Gaelic Church of St. Columbus in Greenock and have a long Highland tradition behind them, special consideration might be given to them; and will the Minister inquire further into this matter?

Mr. Wedderburn

My information is that in the Highlanders' Academy there were 21 classes and only 19 rooms, so that two rooms had to have two classes going on in them. I have no evidence that the Highlanders' Academy was ever reserved for children of Highland parents.

Mr. J. J. Davidson

Is there any difference in the education given to the children in the two schools?