§ 19. Mr. MacArthurasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total value of school building projects started in each of the years 1964, 1965 and 1966; and what estimate he has made for 1967.
§ Mr. MillanFor the answer to the first part of his Question, I would refer the hon. Gentleman to Table A on page 61 of "Education in Scotland in 1966" (Cmnd. 3216). The allocations would enable education authorities in the calendar year 1967 to start schools to the value of about £24 million. Towards this, projects to the value of £12 million were started in the first four months.
§ Mr. MacArthurIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there has been a steady and disturbing fall in the number of starts over the last two or three years? Is he aware that the number of school buildings under construction at the end of 1966 was £2½ million worth less than the previous year and £4 million and more less than in 1964? Is he aware that projects started and completed and work done last year have fallen substantially?
§ Mr. SpeakerQuestions must be reasonably brief even from the Front Bench.
§ Mr. MacArthurIf I may finish my question—when will the impact of these increased allocations be seen in the figures of work done?
§ Mr. MillanThe impact is being seen in the figures which I quoted for the first few months of the current year. The figures for approvals in 1966–67, compared with the previous year, were up by nearly 100 per cent., so the programme is picking up quite considerably.