§ Mr. Eadieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many schoolchildren were taught to swim in Scotland in schemes approved by the Scottish Education Department in the years 1964, 1965, 1966 and to the nearest available date in 1967; (2) which education authorities in Scotland carry out swimming instruction schemes; and what numbers of schoolchildren have benefited.
§ Mr. Ross:My Department does not give specific approval to schemes for swimming instruction in schools. Where facilities are available swimming instruction is given as part of physical education. I do not have details of the numbers of pupil s receiving instruction or of the schools which are able to provide it, but, 398W as a result of the four annual "Learn to Swim" weeks in Scotland (organised jointly by the Scottish Council for Physical Recreation and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents with the support of the Scottish Education Department and the Scottish Home and Health Department), 150,000 non-swimmers, mainly young people, have undertaken instruction.