HC Deb 18 November 1958 vol 595 c1006
42. Mr. Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the proposed new technical college in Kilmarnock.

Mr. N. Macpherson

General agreement has been reached with the education authority on its accommodation proposals, and my right hon. Friend hopes that final adjustments can be made in time for his formal approval to be given by the end of this month. In the meantime, the authority has begun preliminary work on the design.

Mr. Ross

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it is over two and a half years since this project was first mentioned in this House, since when the estimated cost has risen from £250,000 to £500,000? Can he give an assurance that it will be started quickly, and that we shall not have to wait until the cost rises to £1 million?

Mr. Macpherson

Yes. For a technical college of this size the normal time required from the date of agreement on accommodation proposals to the date of starting building work is about eighteen months. I can assure the hon. Member that we will get on with all speed.