§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what sums he has made available, to which regional councils and for which schools, for noise insulation in the last 10 years for which information is available;
(2) if he will request Her Majesty's inspectorate of schools to make an assessment of the current effects on education in the primary schools at Balmullo, Guardbridge and Leuchars of noise nuisance from aircraft operating from RAF Leuchars;
(3) what steps he intends to take to see that Fife regional council complies with the School Premises (General Requirements and Standards) (Scotland) Regulations 1967 to 1979 in relation to accoustic conditions and insulation in the primary schools at Balmullo, Guardbridge and Leuchars respectively;
(4) what sanctions are available to him in the event that a regional authority declines to comply with the School Premises (General Requirements and Standards) (Scotland) Regulations 1967 to 1979.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 6 July 1992]: Substantial resources are available to local authorities for capital expenditure on their educational building stock. Authorities are free to determine their own spending priorities within the total resources available to them.
As regards the schools in question, I understand that monitoring of the situation is taking place and I have asked my officials to keep in touch with developments.
My right hon. Friend has powers, after consultation with the authority, to issue a direction under section 19(3) of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 requiring that premises be brought into conformity with the appropriate standards or requirements of the regulations.