HC Deb 18 November 1952 vol 507 cc1569-70
28. Mr. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many school classes are now being taught in buildings other than schools; and what were the corresponding figures for a year ago.

Mr. J. Stuart

I regret that precise figures are not available. Moreover, such figures by themselves would be misleading since they would not show whether a class was being taught in a building other than a school for the greater part of a school week or only for an occasional period, and I should not feel justified in asking authorities for special returns in the detail that would be necessary to bring this out.

Mr. Hamilton

Is the Secretary of State aware that in answer to a Question last week I got information that the number of local authorities using buildings other than schools had decreased? Does not he agree, therefore, that it would be a comparatively easy matter to ask those authorities who are now using buildings other than schools to say how many children are being taught in those buildings, because I think that the answer given last week was an attempt to mislead the House?

Mr. Stuart

I hope not. I am not trying to withhold any information from the hon. Gentleman. I will give him all I can, but I am afraid that I have no information at the moment which I can absolutely guarantee to be accurate.

Mr. Ross

Is it not about time that the Secretary of State for Scotland had this information? How can he properly allocate building materials for school building unless he knows how many school children are being taught in huts, Army camps and—this happens in one case—model lodging houses?

Mr. Stuart

Obviously, when a local authority applies for a licence to build a new school, all these matters are investigated.