§ Captain MORRISON-BELLasked the President of the Board of Education whether he will state the names of, and the amount estimated by, the five county councils who have already made a statement as to the cost of carrying out the instructions contained in Circular 709?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Walter Runciman)The counties which have submitted estimates of the cost of carrying out the staffing improvements required by Circular 709 are:—
With the exception of Devonshire, none of these county councils have submitted detailed estimates showing the effect of the Circular on particular schools, and I cannot therefore say whether, in forecasting the financial effect of the Circular, these councils have shown that regard for economy which they will no doubt do 26 when the Circular comes into operation, or whether advantage has been taken of the greater freedom of classification permitted by the Circular as compared with the existing code. A detailed estimate was received from Devonshire on Saturday last, and is now being analysed.
Gloucester £6,932 Herts £2,000 Devon £4,350 Bucks £966 Cheshire £1,000
§ Captain MORRISON-BELLWill the right hon. Gentleman ask for more detailed information before the Circular is put into operation considering the enormous call on the rates?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThere will be no delay in the matter.
§ Captain MORRISON-BELLasked the President of the Board of Education whether, as the cost to the rates of the change contemplated by Circular 709 of the Board of Education is being over-estimated, he has taken steps to obtain from all such authorities without delay a detailed estimate of such cost; and, if not, will he do so?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am taking every opportunity which presents itself of obtaining detailed estimates of the cost to the rates which local education authorities anticipate will result from the changes announced in Circular 709, and I will certainly examine any such estimates as are sent to me. I doubt, however, whether all authorities are in a position at present to submit well-considered estimates, and I am reluctant to press them in the matter.
§ Sir GEORGE DOUGHTYDoes the right hon. Gentleman give any assurance that the Treasury are prepared to find the necessary funds for this?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANAny questions on that subject must, of course, be addressed to the Treasury.
§ Captain MORRISON-BELLThe right hon. Gentleman says he is not desirous of pressing the local education authorities. Considering the importance of the circumstances, would it not be desirable to press them?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANSo far as my experience goes, I believe the local authorities are very careful of their own interests. The effects foreshadowed in Circular 709 will not come into operation suddenly, but gradually.
§ Captain MORRISON-BELLasked the President of the Board of Education whether he will give the names of those local education authorities who have made very wild estimates as to the cost 27 that would be entailed on the rates by carrying out the instructions issued in Board of Education Circular 709?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANMy information on this point is not always direct, and is derived in some cases from reports in the Press of statements made by members and officials of local authorities. I think some of them would prefer that I should not mention their names till they have had an opportunity of reconsidering their estimates. I shall, however, in due course, be quite ready to substantiate my statement.