§ Mr. William Hannanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the increased number of children likely to attend local authority fee-paying schools as a consequence of his forthcoming legislation.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellThe Education (Scotland) Bill will restore to education authorities from 1st August, 1971, a power to charge fees. It will then be for authorities to decide whether to use the power and in which schools. Accordingly I am not in a position to give the hon. Member the estimates for which he asks.
§ Mr. William Hannanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representations he has received from individuals and education authorities, respectively, asking for the restoration of fee paying in local schools; and if he will name the authorities concerned and state the nature of his replies.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellGlasgow Education Authority and Edinburgh Education Authority have welcomed the proposals now embodied in the Education (Scotland) Bill. I have received letters from two individuals both living in Renfrewshire asking for the restoration of fee-paying in schools in that area. The replies sent said that when the Bill becomes law it will again become a matter for education authorities to decide whether or not to charge fees. No doubt most of those who welcome this change have seen no necessity to make representations about it to a Government which was known to share their point of view.