§ 44 and 66. Mr. Summersasked the President of the Board of Education (1) what additional cost it is estimated would fall on the Exchequer if all those whose children obtained scholarships to secondary schools were allowed the full financial benefits accruing and the present means test before receipt of benefit were abolished;
(2) whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt by the parents of winners of scholarship awards to secondary schools 656 at the investigations held into their financial resources; and whether he will review the present practice in this regard so that the financial advantages of scholarships may be available to the parents of all those capable of attaining the necessary standard?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education (Mr. Ede)Without calling for a special return from local education authorities, I am unable to say what would be the precise financial effect of converting all special places in grant-aided secondary schools into free places. At a rough estimate, however, I should expect the additional annual expenditure involved to be of the order of £500,000, of which 50 per cent. would fall on the Exchequer. An additional sum would be required if maintenance allowances were given indiscriminately to all scholarship holders, but I can give no estimate of the cost. The whole question of fees and maintenance allowances in secondary schools is under consideration.