HC Deb 03 February 1977 vol 925 cc287-9W
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1), in preparing his recent consultative document, what inquiries he made concerning the residential provision at Dundee College, bearing in mind that there are 200 residential places at Dunfermline College of Physical Education and Dundee College has only 190 residential places;

(2) in drawing up his recent proposals for reorganisation, what account he took of the fact that Dunfermine College of Physical Education in Cramond was a purpose-built college, constructed at a cost of more than £1,320,000: and whether it is suitable for use for offices or any other educational purposes, for use by the Army or by the police, without incurring further expenditure;

(3) whether, in making his proposals to move the Dunfermline College of Physical Education at Cramond to Dundee, he took account of the loss of facilities and expertise used at the college by the handicapped and by the local community and others in Edinburgh;

(4) whether a detailed comparison of the facilities at: (a) Dunfermline College of Physical Education, Cramond, (b) Dundee College and (c) Craiglockhart College has been made;

(5) whether, before arising at his present proposals regarding colleges of education, he undertook a detailed analysis of projected usage of shared facilities at: (a) Dundee College, (b) Dunfermline college of Physical Education, Cramond, and (c) Craiglockhart College;

in the atmosphere or the sea for gaseous and liquid wastes respectively, and burial for low active solid waste.

(6) whether in making his recent proposal he gave consideration to the possibility of coeducation at Dunfermline College of Physical Education;

(7) in making his recent proposals, what consideration he gave to the possibility of merging Craiglockhart College with Dunfermline College of Physical Education over the period of years through a process of gradual evolution, ensuring that the particular religious identity of Craiglockhart should be safeguarded.

Mr. McElhone

My right hon. Friend considered it advisable to consult interested bodies about the proposals which he recently made. In the course of the consultations, during which alternative proposals may be made, such detailed investigations as have not already been made will be carried out as necessary.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he intends that Dunfermline College of Physical Education will retain its degree course after amalgamation with Dundee College.

Mr. McElhone

I refer the hon. Member to paragraph 24 of my right hon. Friend's consultative paper of 17th January.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the projected student numbers for: (a) Dundee College, (b) Dunfermline College of Physical Education and (c) Craiglockhart College before the recent proposals for the Dunfermline College's move to Dundee; and what projections he now makes for the future.

Mr. McElhone

The proposals in my right hon. Friend's consultative paper of 17th January are based on assessments of the overall number of students required. Decisions about the number to be trained in individual colleges must await the results of the consultations.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the reasons for his proposal to move Dunfermline College of Physical Education in Cramond and Craiglockhart College to Dundee College; and what estimates he made of the costs of such a solution compared with the cost of amalgamating Craiglockhart College with Dunfermline College on the site of the latter in Cramond.

Mr. McElhone

The reasons are set out in my right hon. Friend's consultative paper of 17th January. As regards costs, I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, Central (Mr. Cook) on 31st January.—[Vol. 925, c.26.]