asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the future of list D schools in Scotland in the light of representations made to him by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.

I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply to a question tabled by the hon. Member for Cunninghame, North (Mr. Corrie) on 6 June [Vol. 80, c. 257].The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities subsequently asked that present arrangements for supporting the schools should be continued for a further year until 31 March 1987. My right hon. Friend concluded, however, that it would be best to follow the timetable set out in his statement on 6 June. Direct grants to the schools will therefore be withdrawn from 31 March 1986. Rate support grant will be increased to reflect the consequential increase in expenditure falling on local authorities.I understand that authorities are considering their future requirement for places and the arrangements for providing financial support to the schools from 1 April next. Discussions with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities concerning the amount of the additional rate support grant to be paid in 1986–87 are nearing completion.