35. Mr. W. JOSEPH STEWARTasked the President of the Board of Education if, in order to be ready for the raising of the school-leaving age on the proposed date, he is prepared to give building grants beyond the 50 per cent, basis to Special Areas because the effort required to raise the remaining 50 per cent, necessary to provide new buildings will press most hardly on an area such as Durham County?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Oliver Stanley)Provision is already made in the Elementary Education Grant Regulations for the payment of additional grant to necessitous areas. For 1934–35 the amount of such extra grant for the Durham County Council was about £39,000, bringing the total grant paid to them to more than 60 per cent., of their expenditure. I am afraid that I cannot consider any further proposal for altering the grant formula which would involve an increased charge on the Exchequer.
Mr. STEWARTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that even with the 60 per cent, grant a Special Area like Durham, with high rates and low rateable value, will find it practically impossible to raise the necessary funds to remodel existing schools and build new ones, to meet the requirements of the new legislation?