§ 53. Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many schools there are in Glasgow, Renfrewshire, and Greenock, respectively; and how many of these schools are provided with telephones?
The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Wedderburn)In Glasgow the schools under the Education Authority number 223, of which 34 are provided with telephones. The corresponding figures for Greenock are 23 and one respectively, and for the remainder of Renfrewshire 71 and two. I am informed that the education authority for Renfrewshire have decided to instal the telephone in three other schools in Greenock and in five others elsewhere in the county.
§ Mr. GibsonIs the Under-Secretary aware of the inconvenience that is caused by the absence of a telephone at these 542 schools? When an accident happens, someone has to run about and look for a doctor; while, if the headmaster of the school wishes to make a verbal statement to the school management committee, he has to leave his school and go down and make the statement personally. Will the hon. Gentleman draw the attention of the Renfrewshire County Council to the necessity for telephones in all these schools?
Mr. WedderburnI think it is a matter that ought to be determined by the education authority, but I shall be very glad to make any particular representation that the hon. and learned Gentleman brings to my notice in the case of any particular school.