§ 4. Mr. Benceasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to provide primary school accommodation in the new town of Cumbernauld.
§ Mr. NobleIn addition to the three schools already in use, the education authority has a fourth school under construction and hopes to start a fifth within the next few months. Two more are included in its programme for the next three years.
§ Mr. BenceIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that schools planned today for completion in two years' time will not even accommodate all the children who are without accommodation today? Will he recommend to the county council the use of portable units, provided by his Department, which could be added to the present schools to accommodate the few children who cannot get places until next August?
§ Mr. NobleI do not entirely accept the first part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary Question, but I agree that it is difficult to forecast for any new town the likely arrival of children in primary schools. The local education authority is in touch with my Department, and I am certain that, if there is some method by which the development corporation, the local education authority and my Department can combine to avoid trouble and overcome the temporary shortage, we will adopt it.
§ 5. Mr. Benceasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in the provision of recreation facilities in the new town of Cumbernauld.
§ Mr. NobleFourteen halls and two community rooms in housing areas are available for community activities. A further hall, two community rooms and a youth and community centre sponsored by the Y.M.C.A. and Y.W.C.A. are under construction. There are at present two football pitches and a large number of children's play areas. Work is in progress on a 20 acre sports field with the help of a grant from the Wolfson Trust.
§ Mr. BenceWill the right hon. Gentleman do what he can to speed the completion of this recreational area, which will be equipped by a grant from the Wolfson Trust, since I understand that it is nowhere near ready for equipment? I understand, also, that the district council, which will be responsible for administration for the area, is being sorely pressed to provide facilities, although the basic provision is not yet available.
§ Mr. NobleI am sure that the corporation will take note of what the hon. Member has said. I know that it is keen to speed up the provision of these facilities.