30 and 31. Dr. DAVIESasked the President of the Board of Education (1) if he proposes to make regulations that the inquiries into the means of parents whose children are affected by the compulsory raising of the school age for the purpose of assessing the amount of maintenance grant shall be made in each case by means of a committee of the local education authority or that they shall be made through their paid officials;
(2) if maintenance grants for children at school to be granted where the school age is compulsorily raised to 15 years will vary according as the father is at work or simply dependent on unemployment benefit?
§ 36. Sir KINGSLEY WOODasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is now in a position to give further details as to the means test which is proposed by the Government in relation to the payment of maintenance allowances in respect of the children affected by the raising of the school age?
§ Sir C. TREVELYANI have invited a Committee of representatives of Local Authorities to make recommendations as to scales of need and the procedure for determining eligibility for maintenance allowances. The Committee held their first meeting last week, and until I have received their recommendations it would be premature for me to deal with the particular points which are raised in the hon. Members' questions.
§ Sir K. WOODI take it that there is no question of the Government withdrawing from their proposals, and that the means test is necessary under this particular proposal?
§ Sir C. TREVELYANNo, Sir.
§ Mr. HARRISDoes the right hon. Gentleman's reply mean that this Committee is considering a means test, as opposed to a flat rate?
§ Sir C. TREVELYANAs I explained to the House before we broke up last time, I have asked the local authorities to make recommendations to me on the basis of what I explained.
Dr. DAVIESAre we to understand that the President of the Board of Education wishes to throw the onus of the unpopularity of this Measure on the local authorities?
§ Mr. SPEAKERMr. Gould.