§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has received from Grampian regional council on the closure of the main building at Aberdeen college of commerce.
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§ Mr. RifkindI understand from Grampian regional council that as a result of a structural survey of the main building of Aberdeen college of commerce, carried out by a firm of consultant engineers, the education authority has decided to close the main college building on grounds of safety.
Alternative accommodation is actively being sought for the 2,000 or so staff and students who use the building. The college's other annexes are not affected, and classes are proceeding there as normal. The education authority has already identified spare capacity in a number of schools and other buildings, and many others in Aberdeen have been generous with offers of help. In some cases, college lecturers are teaching students at their employers' premises, and in other cases church halls, hotel rooms and banks are being used.
The education authority expects that no significant teaching time will be lost, and examinations should not be affected; and I understand that SCOTVEC will be adopting a sympathetic treatment of students at the college whose courses have been interrupted.