§ 48. Mr. MORGAN JONESasked the President of the Board of Education the reason why, in his recent Circular to the local education authorities, the limit of 3s. per head to expenditure on administration, higher education, has been based upon the average attendance in public elementary schools?
§ Lord E. PERCYAverage attendance in public elementary schools has been in continuous use for the last seven years as a factor in calculating the recognisable expenditure of authorities on maintenance allowances for higher education and it does not appear to be an unsuitable basis for the standard now proposed.
§ Mr. JONESDoes not the Noble Lord agree that in fixing the limit on this basis it tends to increase the burden on those who mast require assistance?
§ Lord E. PERCYI should say certainly not. I do not know why the hon. Member should say that. I should be prepared to discuss the matter with the hon. Member.
§ Mr. COVEDoes not this Regulation tend to penalise those authorities who make a more liberal provision for secondary education, and who have a greater percentage of children in secondary schools?
§ Lord E. PERCYI cannot admit that administration costs of an authority necessarily rise in proportion to the number of children in secondary schools, but if the standard is; not fixed high enough it might in certain cases have a penalising effect. I think it has been fixed high enough. However, that is a matter for discussion.