HC Deb 10 July 1947 vol 439 cc2402-3
5. Mr. Dryden Brook

asked the Minister of Education whether the scheme of the East Suffolk County Council under which grants of £35 are paid to parents irrespective of their financial circumstances if they wish to send their children to independent boarding schools, has been approved by him.

Mr. Tomlinson

The East Suffolk local education authority's arrangements have not yet been approved, though the local. education authority may expect to receive grant on their expenditure if it is within the scope of Section 81 of the Education Act, 1944, and the regulations made thereunder. The Section is designed to prevent hardship and this purpose would not be met by a proposal to make a grant at a flat rate without regard to the parents' income.

Mr. Wilson Harris

As these independent schools vary greatly, would it be competent for a county council to give £35 to a parent who wants to send his child to a most expensive school, when he could send it to one for £35 less?

Mr. Tomlinson

Provided the local authority was satisfied of the necessity for making a grant to relieve hardship, they could do so.