Major Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction among parents concerning Ralston Public School because the education authority have decided that no accommodation for pupils beyond primary 2 be provided in that school or district; that to accommodate pupils at other schools suggested has required the hire of accommodation which is unsatisfactory and will entail travelling and other expenses which parents would find difficulty in meeting; that the education authority have refused the use of the school hall at Ralston Public School although this would 1381W immediately provide satisfactory accommodation for which staff and equipment are available; and why this hall cannot be used for educational purposes without making the school a fee-paying establishment?
Mr. JohnstonI am aware that there is some local dissatisfaction about this matter. According to my information the transference from Ralston School to Williamsburgh School of the 21 pupils involved does not require the provision either of additional staff or of additional accommodation at the latter school. The education authority further inform me that the use for these children of the school hall at Ralston School, which is also the gymnasium, would involve the employment there of three additional teachers and the discontinuance of physical training, as well as demands on timber, which is in short supply, for the erection of partitions. I am inquiring further about the transport arrangements and conditions at other schools referred to in the hon. Member's Question, and I hope to communicate with him again at an early date.