School Building Programme (Hansard, 2 December 1970)

§ 17. Mr. Eadie
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has completed his discussions with local authorities on future allocations of finance for education expenditure in new primary school building.

The Under-Secretary of State for Health and Education, Scottish Office (Mr. Edward Taylor)
In a circular issued by my right hon. Friend's Department yesterday education authorities were asked to submit by 1st March, 1971 details of urgent projects which they wish to be considered for inclusion in the £4 million primary school improvement programme in 1972–73. I am sending him a copy of the circular.

§ Mr. Eadie
While I thank the Minister for his offer, is he aware that today the Secretary of State for Education and Science has issued the specific programme of primary school building for England? Can he explain why the Scottish Office is creating this cart-horse image? Will he be a little more forthcoming, and explain why there has been such delay, and why local authorities do not know precisely where they are in relation to additional primary school building in Scotland?

Mr. Taylor
Local authorities do know where they are. They were given allocations by the previous Administration and many of them have protested that these were quite inadequate. We now have an additional £4 million to distribute in 1972–73, and I am sure that most local authorities will be very grateful.

§ Mr. Buchan
We are highly sceptical of the figures the hon. Gentleman is throwing at us. It remains to be seen whether that money is to be spent. Will the hon. Gentleman assure us that the rate of school building that has been going on for the past five years will be maintained for the five-year period, instead of giving us the hypothetical figure for 1972–73?

Mr. Taylor
Clearly, I am not in a position to say what will happen in five 1271 years' time. All kinds of things can change, as the hon. Gentleman will be fully aware. But I can assure him that the previous programme which was fixed in April with the authorities is being increased by £4 million for primary school building in the year 1972–73.

§ 20. Mr. Brewis
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is satisfied that the school building programme is adequate for raising the school-leaving age in 1972–73; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Edward Taylor
My right hon. Friend is generally satisfied with the progress that is being made, but he is at present reviewing the position in the light of representations which he has had from some education authorities.

§ Mr. Brewis
Does that answer mean that, owing to the cuts in educational building by the last Government, sufficient resources will not be available when the due time comes?

Mr. Taylor
It is clear that there are problems to be overcome in parts of some authorities' areas before we can be sure that there will be places for all those who will be staying on.

§ Mr. Buchan
The hon. Member for Galloway (Mr. Brewis) should not refer to "cuts", because there was an expansion of 70 per cent. in resources during our period in office. This raises the question whether the Under-Secretary of State has his priorities right. Should not the accent be on secondary school building in Scotland rather than merely aping the Secretary of State for Education and Science in England in putting the emphasis the other way round?

Mr. Taylor
I am astonished by the hon. Gentleman's attitude to what is a considerable addition to Scotland's school-building programme. It is in addition to what was provided by the last Government. It is something extra. That is the fact.

24. Mr. W. H. K. Baker
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he hopes to make a statement on the allocation of funds to local authorities for capital school building projects in both the primary and secondary spheres.

Mr. Edward Taylor
My right hon. Friend is considering representations about the capital investment allocations for 1971–72 and 1972–73 that were issued in April. He will let education authorities know the outcome as soon as possible.

Mr. Baker
Will my hon. Friend assure us that careful note will be taken of the special difficulties being faced in the county of Banff and that the county will get more than a fair crack of the whip?

Mr. Taylor
Banffshire is one of the authorities whose representations I am considering. I am afraid there is nothing further that I can add at this stage.

§ Mr. Ross
Will the hon. Gentleman raise his sights? We expected something a little better from him in this respect. Does he realise that the starts suggested for 1972–73—and we notice that there is to be no improvement this year or next year—even then will be £10 million less than the starts in 1968?

Mr. Taylor
What we are talking about is the allocation for 1971–72 and 1972–73, which was set by the previous Administration. We are considering representations from no fewer than 24 local authorities who protested that it was inadequate, and I have given an undertaking that I shall be saying something soon about this matter. I emphasise that this is an allocation fixed in April by the right hon. Gentleman's Administration.