§ Mr. SwinneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list by project of over £10,000 the moneys made available to local authorities for school rationalisations for the financial year 1997–98; what projects have been earmarked for funding in financial years 1998–99 and 1999–2000; how much funding has been allocated to each; what is the proposed total budget for school rationalisations for each of the next three financial years; and what percentage of this will be under the control of the Scottish Parliament. [65930]
§ Mrs. Liddell[holding answer 18 January 1999]: Under special arrangements, which apply only for financial year 1998–99, £15 million has been distributed to the eight authorities listed to assist them in improving the facilities and buildings at schools involved in rationalisation plans in their areas. The distribution of the resources is not tied to specific rationalisation projects. It is, of course, open to authorities to allocate funds from their general capital resources in support of school rationalisation. From 1 July 1999, local government finance, including local authorities' responsibilities for schools funding will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.
Authorities £000 Aberdeen City 525 Argyll and Bute 440 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar 87 Dundee City 460 East Ayrshire 643 Glasgow City 12,000 South Lanarkshire 485 West Lothian 360