Mr. Ron Brownasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has received about the future of Leith academy; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Allan StewartWhen I met representatives of Lothian regional council on 24 January, I offered to give consent for an additional allocation of capital expenditure to facilitate the building of a new Leith academy, provided that this formed part of a rationalisation of the provision of secondary school places in north Edinburgh. Since that meeting I have had letters from the school staff and from a parent inviting me to reconsider my position. I would not feel justified, however, in giving the consent in question unless there is a reduction in the existing surplus of secondary school places in the wider area, since to do so would be detrimental to the interests of Lothian ratepayers and the overall quality of education.