§ 11. Mr. Adam Hunterasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration he has given to representations made on the siting of the new Tulliallan primary school ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Edward TaylorFife County Council wished to purchase some three acres of the grounds of the Scottish Police College as a site for the new primary school. After consulting the governors of the college and weighing the needs of the college and those of the education authority, my right hon. Friend reluctantly decided that the site in question could not be made available for the new school.
§ Mr. HunterThat is a disappointing reply. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the proposed site is only a small part of the large area at the disposal of the college, which totals 97 acres, of which 27 are being used? Is it too much to ask that out of the remaining 70 acres, three and a half should be allowed for a primary school? Is he aware that in Tulliallan the only alternative site would cost £70,000 to prepare? Does he not agree that the argument that security is involved is not valid and that the most important thing is that the children should get a short and safe route to school? Will he reconsider the matter?
Mr. TaylorI appreciate the importance of a site for the primary school but there is also the very great importance of the college. To build a school in the grounds would be to encroach upon ground which might be needed for future college purposes. The cost figures which I have do not entirely tally with those of the hon. Gentleman. One of the alternative sites would cost the figure 477 which the hon. Gentleman has quoted but I understand that there is another site where the additional cost would not be as great.