George Heriot's Trust Scheme

HC Deb 11 February 1975 vol 886 c88W

Mr. Monro

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement to clarify the position of the terms of George Heriot's endowment.

Mr. William Ross

The George Heriot's Trust Scheme, to which I assume the hon. Member is referring, provides,inter alia, that the governing body shall appoint, maintain and educate as foundationers not less than 150 boys and not more than 150 girls, being fatherless children". Boy foundationers, selected by means of an entrance examination, are educated free at George Heriot's School. The governing body may also award entrance bursaries at the school to pupils attending public schools in Edinburgh whose parents, in the opinion of the governing body, require aid in giving them secondary education. It may also award a number of annual and other bursaries to pupils already attending the school.

Of the 1,573 pupils currently attending George Heriot's School, I understand that 109 are foundationers and 72 free-place bursars. The great majority of the pupils thus pay fees, which are currently over £110 per term.