HC Deb 21 March 1977 vol 928 cc446-8W
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if it is now his estimate that transporting Dunfermline College of Physical Education to Dundee would involve substantial public expenditure;

(2) if it is now his estimate that removing Dunfermline College of Physical Education from Cramond to Dundee would cost in excess of £1 million, if specialist facilities and residential accommodation of the same standard were to be provided;

(3) what costings were made prior to taking decisions about the future of the teacher training colleges in Scotland.

Mr. McElhone

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, Central (Mr. Cook) on 31st January. My right hon. Friend is now examining the observations submitted to him.—[Vol. 925, c. 26.]

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if Dunfermline College of Physical Education requested that the Scottish Education Department allow the college to diversify its curriculum to include such subjects as human movement studies and diplomas in health education, drama and dance and outdoor pursuits in 1974–75; and what was the Government's reason for refusing their request at that time.

Mr. McElhone

Proposals for new courses were submitted by Dunfermline College of Physical Education and discussed with my Department in 1975. Since no additional resources were available to implement these proposals, it was agreed that the college would consider the feasibility of redeploying its resources to introduce the new courses without detriment to its existing courses. Revised proposals were submitted to my Department in November 1976.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) in view of the fact that women's sport in Scotland would be disadvantaged by the removal of Dunfermline College of Physical Education to Dundee, if he will consult the Equal Opportunities Commission during the period of consultations, in the light of his previous reply;

(2) if it is the policy of the Government that women who seek qualifications in physical education at Dunfermline College of Physical Education in Edinburgh should not receive opportunities equal to those afforded to men who seek qualifications in physical education at Jordanhill College in Glasgow.

Mr. McElhone

My right hon. Friend's proposals do not discriminate against women. He sees no need for reference to the Equal Opportunities Commission. As part of his consideration of the reactions to his proposals he is studying any implications for women's sport.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is his estimate of the time it will take to transform Dundee College, so that the facilities would be comparable with the existing facilities at Dunfermline College of Physical Education in Cramond;

(2) if he estimates that a merger of Dunfermline College of Physical Education and of Craiglockhart College with Dundee College in Dundee could be completed by 1978–79 without destroying the character and identity of the two colleges, and without major disruption and hardship;

(3) what is his policy towards the estimate sent to him by the architects, Robert Matthew Johnson Marshall and Partners, that to transform Dundee College to provide facilities as good as those at Dunfermline College of Physical Education would involve building costs of £950,000, and that if allowance is made for inflation, VAT, professional fees at approximately 15 per cent., provision of equipment, provision of furniture and fittings, purchase of additional land for buildings/external areas, transfer and removal costs and provision of residential accommodation for staff and students, public expenditure in excess of £1 million will be involved.

Mr. McElhone

My right hon. Friend is now examining all the facts, considerations and arguments which have emerged from the consultation process. It is premature to estimate the cost of any decisions he may reach, or the time required to implement them.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether proposals to transform the purpose-built Dunfermline College of Physical Education in Cramond for any purpose would involve substantial further expenditure.

Mr. McElhone

That would depend on the use proposed.