36 Commander Galbraithasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is the present school population in Glasgow Corporation's housing schemes at Priesthill, Househillwood and Pollok, respectively; and what school accommodation has been provided in these three areas;
§ (2) what is the estimated cost of conveying schoolchildren from Priesthill, Pollok and Househillwood to schools in other parts of the City of Glasgow during the present financial year; and the estimated cost for the year 1950–51;
§ (3) what plans he has to provide permanent school accommodation in the Priesthill, Pollok and Househillwood areas; what number of primary and secondary schools he anticipates will be required; when he intends that building should commence; and when he anticipates that it will be completed.
Mr. McNeilThe present school population is about 2,300 at Priesthill, 900 at Househillwood, and 4,700 at Pollok, and the number of school places in these areas is 3,210. All secondary pupils and the primary pupils for whom places are not yet available are attending schools in other parts of Glasgow. The cost of transport is at present about £25,000 per annum, and is expected to remain at this figure during the new financial year.
Three temporary buildings are at present being put up. The Glasgow education authority, who are primarily responsible for providing the necessary schools, estimate that in addition, when housing is completed, nine primary and three secondary schools will be needed. Of these, one primary school has already been started and one secondary school will be started soon, and I hope that it will be possible for the authority to begin at least three more of the primary schools and one more secondary school in 1950. The main buildings will be of traditional construction; the primary schools will take about 21 months to finish, the secondary school three years. Some will have prefabricated annexes which should be ready before the end of this year.
Commander GalbraithCan the right hon. Gentleman explain how it comes about that when there is housing provided for a population of over 30,000 and 22 a school population of over 8,000, the proper number of schools was not provided at the same time?
Mr. McNeilAs the hon. and gallant Gentleman knows, there is a dual responsibility on this subject. However, I am not really concerned to try to find who was blameworthy. I am concerned to co-operate with the local authorities in trying to redress the unbalance to which the hon. and gallant Gentleman has quite properly drawn attention.
Commander GalbraithIn effect, is not it a deplorable example of the lack of planning by a Socialist local authority who have been in power for a number of years?
Mr. McNeilI remember the hon. and gallant Gentleman had a very prominent place in that local authority on which he now throws the blame.