§ 20. Mr. Benceasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many schools are planned and how many under construction, in the county of Dumbartonshire.
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. James Stuart)Four schools are under construction, and six are being planned.
§ Mr. BenceIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the county of Dumbartonshire the percentage of classes in excess of the code is 30.7 per cent., which is three-and-a-half times the average in Scotland? Is the right hon. Gentleman therefore satisfied that everything is being done to provide adequate school buildings in the county of Dumbartonshire?
§ Mr. StuartI am aware of the hon. Gentleman's point, and we are doing what we can. There are 15 further schools under consideration for the future.
§ 21. Mr. Benceasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many schools are providing only part-time education to a proportion of the children in the county of Dumbartonshire.
§ Mr. J. StuartNone.
§ Mr. BenceIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that my experience, in going round the county, is that I have been told by parents that many children aged six are attending school, some in the mornings and some in the afternoons, and that that is because of the lack of accommodation and the lack of teachers?
§ Mr. StuartIt is the case, but these double meetings, as they are called, are not regarded as part-time education. In the circumstances of staffing and accommodation, and in view of the fact that better arrangements cannot be made, it is permitted to have double meetings.
§ 22. Mr. Benceasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the shortage of teachers in the county of Dumbartonshire; and what steps he is taking to improve this position.
§ Mr. J. StuartI am aware of the shortage, and hope that the position in the county may improve when additional teachers become available under the Special Recruitment Scheme, which is to be continued.
§ Mr. BenceIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is great disquiet in the county and a feeling that, because of the inadequate school accommodation and the general situation in the county, teachers will not come to Dumbartonshire? I do not know whether that is a fact, but it is being said. Would the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries into this ugly rumour which is going around, that Dumbartonshire cannot get school teachers because it has not the school accommodation and because of the excessive size of classes?
§ Mr. StuartI will make inquiries.