Duchess of ATHOLLasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is now in a position to say how many children additional accommodation will have to be provided by the Scottish education authorities if the school age is raised in 1931; how many additional class teachers will be needed, specifying men and women, respectively; how many teachers of handicraft, both for boys and girls; and what he estimates will be the additional capital and recurrent expenditure involved?
Mr. W. ADAMSONIn my reply to the Noble Lady on 12th November last, I gave figures showing the total accommodation estimated to be required for the children of ages 12 to 15 over a series of years. The number of children for whom additional accommodation will be required in 1932 is estimated to be approximately 50,000. The Scottish Education Department have requested the education authorities to furnish more precise information as to the additional staff and accommodation that will be required and the cost involved. But this information has not yet been completely supplied, and I regret that I am therefore 857W not at present in a position to give the detailed estimate for the whole of Scotland.
Duchess of ATHOLLasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the capital expenditure both for buildings and equipment for practical instruction that are likely to be needed if raising the school age is to prove a benefit to Scottish children, more especially in the rural districts, he will make a grant for building and equipment to the Scottish education authorities?
Mr. ADAMSONI would refer the Noble Lady to the answer given to her on 19th November last, in which I expressed the view that the present method secures an equitable distribution of the total grant amongst the Education authorities. Since then the Department have ascertained that the association of Education authorities are in agreement with the view then expressed.