SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT SHOULD STOP INTERFERING IN MADRAS DECISION - SMITH

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 21st Aug 2009

North East Fife MSP Iain Smith has called on the Scottish Government to stop interfering in the decision about which site should be chosen for the new Madras College in St Andrews.

Iain Smith said:

"This is a once in a generation decision which will affect both education and community facilities for St Andrews and the Tay Bridgehead. The decision needs to be taken by local people who know the area and not by faceless bureaucrats in Edinburgh or interfering SNP Ministers.

"Our kids deserve a school designed for the next century and not one designed for the last. It is imperative that Fife Council and St Andrews University work together to ensure that investment in new education and sports provisions provide the best possible facilities for school pupils, students and the wider community.

"What we want to hear from the Scottish Government is a commitment to support the investment rather than interfering in the sites selection."