§ Mr. Adam Hunterasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what assistance he is giving towards the provision of nursery schools in each of the education authorities in Scotland; and on what criteria this is determined.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellNursery education, in common with local authority expenditure generally, is assisted by the Government through rate support grant. In addition, since the urban programme was introduced in 1968, grant has been offered to local authorities in Scotland of 75 per cent. of the cost of providing 1,300 places in nursery schools and classes. This grant is given under the Local Government Grants (Social Need) Act, 1969, and the criteria used in assessing applications are essentially ones of social need. I am sending copies of the relevant circulars to the hon. Member. The education authorities and the number of places approved under the urban programme are as follows:
Education Authority Total places in Nursery Schools and Classes Approved under Urban Programme Aberdeen Burgh 60 Dunbarton County Council 280 Dundee 200 Glasgow 400 Stirling County Council 60 Lanark County Council 140 Edinburgh. 40 Renfrew County Council 50 Clackmannan County Council 70 1,300