HC Deb 27 November 1963 vol 685 cc255-6
9. Mr. W. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement concerning the school-building programme in Fife in the financial year 1964–65, in the light of the policy set out in the White Paper, Central Scotland, Command Paper No. 2188.

Lady Tweedsmuir

It would be premature to make a statement since the authority's revised building programme is not due to reach my right hon. Friend until mid-December. The allocation of investment made for 1964–65 is as yet a provisional one and the authority is meeting officials of my right hon. Friend's Department later this week to discuss the whole matter.

Mr. Hamilton

Is it not the case that the Fife County Council wanted to start the Glenrothes school this year but the Department refused this, but that when Fife County Council showed that it could start it the Department approved on condition that the £500,000 that the school would cost would be taken from the £800,000 allocated to the county for 1964–65, which means, in effect, that Fife will be able to build one school next year if the Department sticks to the position which it has already taken up? Is this consistent with the policy outlined in the White Paper for Central Scotland?

Lady Tweedsmuir

The school to which the hon. Member has referred will certainly cost a large part of the provisional allocation of £800,000. I stress, however, that this is provisional. As to the White Paper, the hon. Member will be aware that there are to be detailed surveys of the growth areas with the authorities concerned.

Mr. Hamilton

Does that imply that the Government knew nothing about the plans for Central Scotland when making their provisional allocations for 1964–65? Is this merely an afterthought on the eve of an election?

Lady Tweedsmuir

Certainly not. If, as I am sure he has done, the hon. Member has read the White Paper carefully, he will realise that a great deal of work has gone into it over a long period.