asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects work to start on the new Hermitage Academy at Helensburgh.

Provided difficulties over high tender prices can be resolved the work should start within the next month or so.

With regard to what the hon. Lady has said about high tender prices, is she aware that the lowest tender which came in was 18s. 3d. per sq. ft. higher than the permissible amount to which the Department has agreed? Does this mean that if the local authority is to ensure savings to get it down to the amount which the Department says it should come down to, Helensburgh, which has waited so long for this school, will get a sub-standard school compared with the accommodation and amenities provided in other schools which have just been built?

No, Sir. We are determined that Hermitage Academy at Helensburgh should be a very fine school. We are at the moment going into consultations to see whether we can get these prices reduced. The standard rate was increased only in January and we might have to go over it a little.