§ 17. Mr. Gerald Williamsasked the Minister of Education if, owing to the dissatisfaction expressed by school teachers and parents since the withdrawal of the grant for school uniforms, under Circular 210, he will now consider restoring this grant.
§ Mr. TomlinsonNo, Sir. In the present national situation it is necessary to restrict my Department's expenditure to meeting essential needs.
§ Mr. WilliamsIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the cost is not at all high; that school uniform gives a student a pride in his school and ensures good behaviour out of school; and that without school uniforms class distinction will be created between pupils?
§ Mr. TomlinsonAll of the suggested economies that I have made in education are small. If we are to be governed by the smallness or otherwise of the 544 economy, and not by the educational efficiency, there is no end to what could not be done in this direction.