asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to increase the rate of school-building in Scotland in order to meet the raising of the school-leaving age in 1970.

In conjunction with the education authorities, my Department is assessing the additional accommodation needed for the raising of the age, and decisions on capital investment will be taken as soon as practicable in the light of this assessment.

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his consideration of this matter, but is he aware of the extremely unsatisfactory answer given by the hon. Lady the Under-Secretary of State last week? Is he aware that local authorities are very anxious to get ahead with their plans in order that they may be ready for 1970?

I am also aware of the extreme disappointment in Angus and Kincardine over what happened under the previous Administration in regard to Brechin High School and Mackie Academy. But the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that this is more than just an exercise in school building. We have to see what kind of accommodation is required, and we are presently conducting a pilot study with five local authorities to assess the needs, and how best to meet those needs. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we hope to reach our decisions in time, and to get the buildings ready in time to meet the rise in the school-leaving age.