§ 83. Sir M. Galpernasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether there is a college of nautical studies in the British Isles; if the proposed college in Glasgow will contain a planetarium, a roof observatory, a boat house and a heat engine laboratory; and to what extent the specialised nature of the accommodation and requirements will affect the building design and cost.
§ Mr. RossIn addition to Leith Nautical College and the existing facilities in Glasgow there are in the British Isles several nautical colleges and further education centres which provide courses in166W nautical subjects. The plans for the new college in Glasgow include a planetarium, a roof observatory, a boathouse and a heat engine laboratory. Special cost allowances have been made in respect of the first three of these items as well as of other exceptional features.
§ 84. Sir M. Galpernasked the Secretary of State for Scotland where nautical studies are presently available in Glasgow; under whose auspices they are being provided; what is the annual cost of such provision; and who bears the cost.
§ Mr. RossNautical subjects are available at the School of Navigation conducted by Glasgow Education Authority, and at the schools of nautical cookery and of seamanship conducted by the shipping federation. The annual cost of the school of navigation is about £40,000, but this is pooled expenditure which is shared by all authorities in the same proportions as the aggregate general grant is shared. The annual cost of the schools of nautical cookery and of seamanship is approximately £6,000 of which rather more than half is met by direct grant from the Scottish Education Department.
§ Sir M. Galpernasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the first meeting took place to discuss the erection of a college of nautical studies in Glasgow; when was the architect appointed; what is the amount of the lowest tender, and the reason for the delay in commencing building work; and when building is likely to commence.
§ Mr. RossThe building of the college was proposed by the education authority in December 1957, and discussions with officers of my Department started in 1958. Cost plans were agreed on the basis of a sketch plan submitted in 1962. Tenders were sought for the project at the end of 1964 and were received in March 1965. The tender now under consideration amounts to nearly £800,000. When full allowance has been made for additional costs reflecting the special requirements of the college, this substantially exceeds prescribed cost limits. Discussions on cost are proceeding with the authority, and building should commence as soon as acceptable costs have been agreed.