§ 54. Mr. JAMES HOGGEasked what equivalent Grants, if any, will be given to Scotland consequent upon the proposals in the Education (No. 2) Bill?
The SECRETARY for SCOTLAND (Mr. McKinnon Wood)There are cases in which the principle of equivalent Grants is appropriate, but there are other cases in which it is not appropriate. This is one of the latter cases. Education Grants for Scotland are based upon consideration of the needs of Scotland, which in many respects are different from those of England, but care is taken to ensure that the aid given from the Imperial Exchequer to Education in Scotland as a whole is not less than what is given to England. At the present moment Scotland is certainly not suffering any disadvantage.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs it not the case that the fact that at present Scotland is not suffering is due to this: that in Scotland education is in receipt of Grants which are applied to other purposes in England?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThat is so, but it does not entirely account for the difference in the state of affairs.
§ Mr. KINGDoes the right hon. Gentleman remember that a few weeks ago he kindly gave me figures which showed that Scotland is getting a great deal more per head of population for education than England?
§ Mr. HOGGEDoes the right hon. Gentleman know that the equivalent Grant in this case is £13,750? How can he view with equanimity this sum of money going out of Scotland?
Mr. McKINNON WOODI view, not only with equanimity but with pleasure, the fact that we are getting £42,000 for which England is not demanding an equivalent. If the Education Grants are based on the necessities of Scotland they must also be based on the necessities of England. In this case England has a special necessity which Scotland does not suffer from.