HC Deb 15 July 1952 vol 503 c1950
1. Mr. Bence

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes to take to remedy the shortage of educational facilities in the county of Dunbartonshire.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Henderson Stewart)

The duty of remedying the shortage of educational facilities in Dunbartonshire rests upon the education authority. My right hon. Friend will give them all the help he can in carrying out the responsibility Parliament has placed upon them.

Mr. Bence

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, in the burgh of Clydebank alone, an allocation of building facilities has been made which is not commensurate with the house building allocation in the last period; and that, therefore, the burgh of Clydebank is in a serious position in providing educational facilities for its inhabitants? Will the Minister take steps to see that the allocations for school buildings in Clydebank are increased immediately?

Mr. Stewart

As the hon. Member probably knows, when the schools at present under construction are completed, the situation ought materially to improve. As regards new building allocations, we are well aware of that, and we are doing whatever we can in the matter.

Sir T. Moore

May we presume that my hon. Friend the Joint Under-Secretary will not confine his attention to Dunbartonshire, because there are other equally important parts of Scotland?