HC Deb 12 March 1969 vol 779 cc1356-7
17. Mr. Eadie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many students of drama and music qualified in Scotland from 1962 to the nearest available date; what was the student intake during those years; how the figures compare with universities; and what future intake is planned.

Mr. Millan

From 1962 to 1968, inclusive, 484 students of either music or drama qualified from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama or from colleges of education in Scotland; the total first year intake during this period was 722; it is planned to increase the annual intake of music and drama students to these colleges by about 30 per cent. in the next five years. I shall write to my hon. Friend about the university figures.

Mr. Eadie

Is my hon. Friend aware that the figures that he has just given the House will be studied with great interest, because the people of Scotland do not want to be fed on bingo, betting and drink? Will he agree that some of the youngsters coming from our schools and universities are as good as, if not better than, those of previous generations?

Mr. Millan

I quite agree with that last point. We have a proposal at present to replace the existing Royal Scottish Academy by a new building which will accommodate 470 students, which is about 100 more than at present. Certainly one wants to see the output increasing.

Mr. Monro

Can the hon. Gentleman say why there is such a very small amount of money available for the encouragement of pipe bands and the teaching of pipe music?

Mr. Millan

The encouragement is largely a matter for the local authorities themselves. No doubt the hon. Gentleman will have spoken to his own local authority about this. He will also know that the Scottish Pipe Band Association has had a grant from this Government for the first time in its history.