§ 67. Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYasked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the diminution of the sum allocated to Fife under the Education (Scotland) Fund, owing to which the Grant to school boards has fallen in the last three years from 5s, 6d. per pupil to 1s. 1d. per pupil; whether he considers that this constitutes equitable treatment of the school boards in Fife; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent the Grant to school boards disappearing altogether?
The SECRETARY for SCOTLAND (Mr. McKinnon Wood)This is too large and complicated a subject to be dealt with satisfactorily in answer to a question. To put it briefly, the reduction of the Grants under Section 17 (11) of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1908 (which affects other districts in Scotland equally with Fife), is due to the fact that one of the first charges on the Education (Scotland) Fund under the Act of 1908 is a contribution towards 33 the superannuation of teachers. This contribution as a matter of fact was not called up till after 1st April, 1912, and till that date school boards had the benefit under Section 17 (11) of the money not so required.
Maier HOPEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Grant for Midlothian has disappeared altogether?
§ Mr. PRINGLEWe have not heard the:right hon. Gentleman's answer.
§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYCan the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the Grant will not disappear altogether?
§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYAre we going to get more money in the future or less?