§ 32. Mr. Tomlinsonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that the grant of only 20 per cent. in aid of the clothing equipment for physical exercises of children in public elementary schools is causing grave dissatisfaction amongst local education authorities; and, in view of the Government's general financial policy in respect of physical fitness, will he take steps for all approved expenditure on such clothing equipment to be recognised for at least a 50 per cent. grant in aid?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education (Mr. Kenneth Lindsay)Representations to this effect have been made to the Board and have been very carefully considered in consultation with the Treasury. I regret that it is not practicable to make the suggested alteration at a time when the adjustment and equalisation of the various factors in the elementary grant formula are under discussion between representatives of the local education authorities and officers of the Board.
Mr. Rostron DuckworthMay I ask my hon. Friend whether it is the intention of 197 the Board of Education to issue instructions to local education authorities with regard to the problems arising out of distressed areas and of individually financially embarrassed funds in this matter?
§ Mr. LindsaySpecial Areas are already taken into consideration in connection with the Board's grant, but I would be prepared to see whether there was any way of assisting really hard cases.
§ Mr. TomlinsonCan the Parliamentary Secretary say whether it is now the policy of the Government to continue to use the office of the President of the Board as a permanent training centre for other Cabinet posts, and, if so, will he consider appointing two?