§ 68 and 69. Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERasked the President of the Board of Education (1) whether he is now fully informed as to the reductions proposed by the Sheffield local education authority; whether he has taken these proposals into consideration; whether the restriction of facilities necessitated by the reductions will result in the failure to reach the standard of efficiency required under The Education Act, 1918; if so, what steps he proposes to take in the matter;
(2) what is the estimated reduction in the Board of Education's grant to the 674 Sheffield local education authority for the financial year 1923–24, arising from the proposals of the authority for reduced expenditure?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Lord Eustace Percy)The Authority have now submitted revised proposals to the Board which, I am glad to say, provide for the continuance of domestic and manual instruction to which reference has been made in earlier questions, and in that respect the efficiency of the schools will not be affected. The method of the calculation of grant to local education authorities in respect of elementary education is described in the notes to Subhead C.1 of the Board's Estimates. I am not at present able to state the amount which will be payable to Sheffield in respect of the financial year 1923–24.
§ Mr. ALEXANDERIs the Noble Lord not aware that the authority mentioned has made a rough estimate of what it will lose, and is he not able to give an official estimate?
§ Lord E. PERCYNo, certainly not.