§ Mr. Donald Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are his intentions regarding the continuation of special temporary employment programmes in the Western Isles.
§ Mr. YoungerThe special temporary employment programmes will continue
1975–76* Expenditure 1976–77 Expenditure 1977–78 Expenditure Education Authority Amount Per pupil Amount Per pupil Amount Per pupil £000 £ £000 £ £000 £ Borders … … … … 58 3.22 52 2.88 62 3.43 Central … … … … 552 10.00 165 2.97 160 2.88 Dumfries and Galloway … … 108 3.76 131 4.57 140 4.97 Fife … … … … 690 9.95 247 3.55 195 2.81 Grampian … … … … 378 4.40 348 3.97 426 4.83 Highland … … … … 255 6.71 233 5.98 — —† Lothian … … … … 2,026 14.69 2,157 15.59 572 4.13 Strathclyde … … … … 2,786 5.24 2,810 5.33 2,502 4.84 Tayside … … … … 225 2.96 144 1.91 201 2.69 Orkney … … … … 67 19.45 71 20.07 36 10.08 Shetland … … … … 20 5.77 17 4.42 66 16.39 Western Isles … … … 35 5.64 30 4.63 27 4.10 Total … … … 7,200 6.83 6,405 6.08 4,387 4.37 * Covering the period from 16 May 1975 to 31 March 1976 † Not available for 1977–78. The variation in the cost per pupil is due in part to inconsistencies as between authorities in the apportionment of expenditure, particularly in the earlier years following local government reorganisation. My Department is pursuing this matter with authorities with the aim of securing greater consistency.