§ Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the number of nursery or kindergarten schools established by 1935 in the Islands and Highlands of Scotland and how many since then; and if, in view of the long distances small children in these areas have to travel to some schools over bad or no roads, without means of transport and exposed to the weather, he will undertake a more vigorous policy and programme for establishing such schools in as many as possible of the remoter districts?
§ Mr. ColvilleNo nursery school has as yet been established by any education authority in the Islands and Highlands of Scotland. With regard to the last part of the question, I would remind the hon. Member that nursery schools are designed for children under five who are under no obligation to attend school. While the attention of education authorities has already been called to the desirability of establishing such schools where the conditions are suitable, I think the hon. Member will agreed that the need is more urgent in large towns and industrial areas than in sparsely populated rural districts.