HC Deb 07 February 1962 vol 653 cc423-4
38. Mr. Lawson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of primary school places provided by new school building in Lanarkshire and Scotland, respectively, from 1946 to the latest convenient date.

Mr. Maclay

The number of primary school places provided in the period 1946 to 1961 inclusive is approximately 41,000 in Lanarkshire and 259,000 in Scotland.

Mr. Lawson

Is the Secretary of State aware that, despite his boasting only a short time ago about the rapidity of the provision of school places, this is considerably less than half the number of primary school children in Scotland? Is he aware that there has been a serious division of opinion between his Department and the Lanarkshire education authority on the question of school buildings which has held up work now for over a year? Will he see whether something can be done to meet Lanarkshire's problem so that Lanarkshire especially, if not the whole of Scotland, can get on with the provision of very badly needed school places? Will he especially see what can be done in my own constituency at Wishaw, where there is a very serious lack of school places?

Mr. Maclay

I very greatly regret the difficulties which have arisen with the Lanarkshire education authority over the last period. Fortunately, I am glad to say that it has now agreed to continue building.

Mr. Lawson

Is the Secretary of State aware that more than two-thirds of the school building programme as now decided up to 1963 will be concentrated in the new town of East Kilbride? We have no objection to East Kilbride getting school places, but is he aware that one-third of the building programme is quite insufficient for the rest of Lanarkshire?

Mr. Maclay

The programme now submitted to me will undoubtedly need further examination as time goes on.

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