§ 76. Sir H. CROFTasked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the pledge of 1918, re-affirmed in 1933, that the whole scale and organisation of education services depend upon the central Government making grants-in-aid of them covering at least 50 per cent. of their cost, he is aware that, under the 1931 economies, this principle has been seriously violated in many urban areas and that in Bournemouth the grant falls short by £32,195 and only amounts to 16.6 per cent.; and what steps he proposes to take to rectify this anomaly?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Oliver Stanley)I have nothing to add to the answers which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. A. Reed) on 13th 42 February, and of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.
§ Sir H. CROFTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in no comparable urban area in this country is the burden so great as in the case mentioned in the question, and will he consider whether it is not such a serious position that it must be put right?
§ Mr. STANLEYI do not agree that the burden of the cost of education borne by Bournemouth is greater than the burden borne by many more distressed areas?
§ Sir H. CR0FTMy question referred to urban areas of a similar character, and does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the burden is entirely disproportionate to that of all other similar areas?
§ Mr. STANLEYPerhaps the hon. and gallant Member will tell me what towns he regards as being of a similar character to Bournemouth?
§ Mr. THURTLEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is no place better fitted than Bournemouth to bear a heavy burden?