§ 40. Mr. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state, as a percentage of the respective school populations, the number of places available in senior secondary schools in Scotland and in Ayrshire.
§ Mr. MaclayThe number of places that are or could be made available in any particular area depends on both the accommodation and staff available and it would be difficult to give the hon. Member a precise estimate in answer to his Question, but I have no evidence that in Ayrshire or in Scotland as a whole there are not sufficient for all the children who could derive full benefit from senior secondary education. I should add that of the total number of pupils in secondary classes in public and grant-aided schools in January, 1957, in Scotland as a whole 42 per cent. and in Ayrshire 43 per cent. were following senior secondary courses.
§ Mr. RossIf we are to consider the matter properly, surely it is necessary for the Secretary of State to obtain this information? It has been available in England, and there is no reason why it should not be available in Scotland. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in certain areas children who are capable of benefiting from senior secondary education are not receiving it because of the limitation on places?
§ Mr. MaclayI agree that the important thing is that no children considered by education authorities to be fit for senior secondary courses should be kept from such courses. I am informed that they are not being kept from them, although some of the classes are rather large.