§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the circumstances in which Kingsmeadow primary school in Haddington has been destroyed by fire; and what arrangements he will make to help Lothian regional council to safeguard the education of pupils in Haddington and to rebuild the school.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 24 June 1993]: Both my right hon. Friend and I were saddened to hear of the destruction caused by the recent fire at Kings Meadow primary school and understand the distress which the loss of the building will cause to everyone associated with the school. We understand that the preliminary assessment is that the fire was malicious and is subject to further police investigation. Lothian regional council, as education authority, is responsible for alternative arrangements for the pupils and for decisions about the future rebuilding of the school.