§ 22. Mr. Steeleasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects work on the new senior secondary school at Helensburgh to start; and what is the estimated date of completion.
§ Mr. NobleDunbarton Education Authority had hoped to start work on this school in September this year and to complete it by December, 1965. Competing demands of more urgent projects have occasioned some delay, but the project will be authorised as soon as practicable.
§ Mr. SteeleIs the Secretary of State aware that, according to my information, this school is not to start in September, 1963, on the instructions of the Secretary of State for Scotland? Is he aware of the long postponement over thirty years in providing this new school? Is he also aware that at the moment this school is unhygienic, primitive and overcrowded and that teaching is going on in ten separate premises scattered about half a mile from the main building? Will he look at the matter again and assure the education department that the starting date will be September, 1963?
§ Mr. NobleI have to bear in mind the priorities which local authorities themselves want for schools. If I had "enough money to enable every education department to start all the work it wanted to do immediately, this would be a different problem.
§ Mr. SteeleOn a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.