§ Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the present number of junior secondary school places and senior secondary school places; and what increases in both are planned to meet the needs of the increasing numbers of children who will be passing into the secondary schools.
§ Mr. J. StuartThe number of pupils in secondary classes in Scottish public and grant-aided schools in January, 1955, was 227,077, of whom 94,260 were following senior secondary courses. It is estimated that in 1961 the number of pupils in secondary classes will rise to a peak of at least 274,000, and if the efforts 61W to persuade more pupils to complete their courses are successful the number will be even greater. New schools and extensions now under construction will provide 44,358 secondary places and education authorities hope to start in the next three years projects which will provide some 60,000 more. The new accommodation has been planned not only to meet the increase in the number of secondary pupils but also to serve the needs of new housing areas, to reduce existing overcrowding, and to replace unsatisfactory premises.