§ 85. Captain FOXCROFTasked the President of the Board of Education the highest total figures spent in taxes and rates, respectively, upon compulsory education in England and Wales prior to the passing of the Act of 1918; and the approximate cost of taxes and rates, respectively, to be spent when the Act of 1918 is in full operation?
§ Mr. FISHERI am not clear what the hon. and gallant Member means by compulsory education, but to assume that he refers to elementary education. The expenditure of Local Education Authorities upon this service reached the highest mark attained prior to the passing of the Act of 1918 in the financial year 1917–18. In that year their total net expenditure was £30,323,757, which was met as to £15,399,149 (or 51 per cent.) from grants by the Board, and as to £l4,924,,608 (or 49 per cent.) from rates. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer to the answer which I gave on 28th October to the hon. and gallant Member for Finchley.