CAPTAIN SINCLAIRI beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer how it is that under the Estimates for the present year the cost of keeping up the 12s. capitation grant for Scotland comes to£5,000, instead of £26,000, as estimated by himself and the Lord Advocate during the discussion of the Education (Scotland) Bill in 1897; and, whether he will credit Scotland with the difference, namely, a sum of about £21,000.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir M. HICKS-BEACH, Bristol, W.)The Lord Advocate has already explained why the full amount which may be required in future years for keeping the capitation grant for Scotland up to 12s. will not be necessary this year. I do not understand what the honourable Member means by crediting Scotland 932 with the difference; it was always stated that the matter was not and could be dealt with the matter was not and could not be dealt with on the basis of equivalent grants.
§ DR. CLARK (Caithness)Will the sum received in future be a lessening or increasing amount—will it progress as fast as the children do?
§ MR. BUCHANAN (aberdeenshire, E.)Is it not a fact that two years ago the House was informed by the Government that £66,000 in all would be given to Scotland, whereas only £41,000 is being given.
§ SIR M. HICKS-BEACHNo promise of any fixed sum was ever made, but an estimate was given of the probable cost of making the change in the educational system for that year. No pledge was given as to future years.