52. Mr. Alexanderasked the President of the Board of Education whether he has considered the resolution from the City of Sheffield Education Committee with reference to the growing percentage of education expenditure which has to be met from local rates and the need for revision of the present scale of Board of Education grants; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education (Mr. Shakespeare)My right hon. Friend has considered the resolution referred to by the hon. Member. The question of a revision of the grant formula was also laid before him by a recent deputation from the Association of Education Committees. On that occasion he made it plain that he was not prepared to entertain such a revision until further experience had been gained of the working of the Government's proposals for educational reform.
Mr. AlexanderDoes the Parliamentary Secretary agree that, in fact, the percentage of expenditure to be met is increasing the contributions of the local authority, and how long does he expect them to go on meeting this increased charge?
§ Mr. ShakespeareI think that the right hon. Gentleman is correct in his statement, but we must have more experience, in view of the fact that the grants in respect of elementary school buildings and transport charges were increased only a year ago.
§ Mr. Louis SmithIs my hon. Friend perfectly satisfied that there are no items of expenditure put forward by this Committee which are unnecessary, and is he satisfied the Committee is practising every possible economy, and, if he is not so satisfied, will he cause an inquiry to be made?
§ Mr. ShakespeareI must have notice of that question.
Mr. AlexanderIs it not a fact that the percentage of grant made by the Board of Education is not fixed upon that, but upon the actual scale of the grants, and is it not a matter for review of the scale of grants?
§ Mr. ShakespeareIt is based on a number of factors.