HC Deb 07 February 1979 vol 962 cc383-5
12. Mr. Robin F. Cook

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his policy towards outdated school buildings in inner city areas.

Mr. McElhone

Following my Department's discussion paper on school accommodation, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the Department have set up a joint working party to consider proposals for a full review by the authorities of the potential of the existing stock of schools. In the meantime, authorities have been given increased provision for expenditure on school building improvement. It is for authorities themselves to decide how to make best use of the resources available.

Mr. Cook

Will my hon. Friend, in a spirit of comradeship, come with me to visit Tynecastle secondary school in my constituency and there take note of the frustrations of some highly committed teachers who have to watch while new buildings and modern teaching aids are lavished on every area outside the inner city whereas they are asked to work in the oldest buildings with the oldest aids to combat the effects of one of the worst multiple deprivation areas in the whole region?

Mr. McElhone

My hon. Friend knows that the allocation of resources within the region is for the education committee. Nevertheless, if time allows, I am prepared to look at the position of this school, in concert with the regional council, with which I must work, to see whether we can achieve a satisfactory arrangement.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

I acknowledge the problem raised by the hon. Member for Edinburgh, Central (Mr. Cook). But will the Minister not lose sight of the question of growing communities, such as Portlethen outside Aberdeen, where, as a consequence of oil and other developments, these new communities are growing up with virtually no facilities? Will he do his best to ensure that communities such as the one that I have mentioned are given facilities, both educational and otherwise, which are necessary if we are to have balanced communities in these areas of development?

Mr. McElhone

I shall obviously have to consider that matter.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

I have written to the hon. Gentleman about it.

Mr. McElhone

I get many letters from hon. Members asking for more and more money for school building. Hon. Members will find that, compared with the previous three years, in the period 1979 to 1981–82 we are proposing to increase substantially the amount of money for school improvement. As a former Minister in the Scottish Office, the hon. Gentleman will know that roofs over heads and provision for basic needs are not subject to public expenditure constraints.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

Does the Minister agree that there is a serious problem in inner cities where a combination of a fall in the population and a sharp fall in the birth rate has brought some school rolls in primary schools down to a very low level? Is the hon. Gentleman and his officials looking at Scotland as a whole in this regard? Does he agree that there could be a serious problem of school closures as a consequence?

Mr. McElhone

I am not sure whether the hon. Gentleman understood my answer. We have set up a working party to look at the question of spare school accommodation. The first meeting of that working party will take place on 15 February. I understand the dilemma of falling school rolls. The Strathclyde region, in order to ensure that I do know, has chosen my area to close the first two schools.

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