§ Mr. Welshasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what steps he is taking to ensure adequate maintenance of schools and other public utility buildings and especially those built cheaply since the last war;
(2) if he is satisfied that adequate steps are being taken to ensure the continued safety of Scottish schools built since the last war; and what steps he is taking to see that dangers due to materials such as high alumina cement and minimum cost construction methods are being kept to a minimum by adequate and regular inspection;
(3) what effects spending cut-backs have had on the provision of surveillance and maintenance of schools and other public utility buildings.
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§ Mr. McElhoneResponsibility for the maintenance, surveillance and safety of schools and other public buildings owned by local authorities, irrespective of age and form of construction, rests with the authorities themselves. I am sure that local authorities are fully aware of their responsibilities in this connection and can be relied upon to ensure that their properties are maintained in a safe condition, notwithstanding current financial restraints.
Where a particular risk is discovered, local authorities and other building owners are alerted. In the case of buildings in which high alumina cement concrete was used technical advice was made available on the identification of buildings at risk, safety precautions, remedial measures and continuing surveillance.