§ Mr. MaclennanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the dates on which his officials have met members of the school board of the Dornoch academy, and the matters discussed.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonOfficials from the Scottish Office Education Department have met members of the school board of Dornoch academy on three occasions. On 27 October 1993 and 14 February 1994 officials met the full board and on 8 March 1994 they attended a meeting at which the chairperson and officials from Highland regional council were also present. In each case, the matters discussed have been directly related to the arrangements for the incorporation of Dornoch academy as a self-governing school from 1 April 1994.
§ Mr. MaclennanTo ask the Secretary of Stale for Scotland what funds he has made available to the Dornoch academy school board for secured buildings and public liability insurance from 1 April.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonNone. After Dornoch academy becomes incorporated as a self-governing school on 1 April 1994, the board of management may apply for special purpose grant for premises insurance. The details of such arrangements are contained in the Self-Governing Schools Grant and Recovery (Scotland) Regulations 1994, laid before Parliament on 10 March 1994.
§ Mr. MaclennanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library a copy of the correspondence which has passed between his officials and members of the Dornoch academy school board since 1 January 1993.
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§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonIt is not normal practice for copies of correspondence between the Secretary of State, or his officials, and third parties to be made public.
However, in order to clarify the Secretary of State's position with regard to the possible upgrading of Dornoch academy, I am arranging exceptionally to place in the Library a copy of a letter from my officials to the school board on this matter dated 11 March 1994.
§ Mr. MaclennanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans his Education Minister has to visit Dornoch academy, Sutherland.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonI look forward to visiting Dornoch academy in due course, subject to my other commitments, when next I am in the area.