HC Deb 19 June 1952 vol 502 cc1549-51
44 and 49. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Minister of Education (1) whether she will publish a copy of the letter she has addressed to 81 local education authorities concerning their estimated expenditure for next year;

(2) what further action she proposes to take in connection with local education authorities whose cuts in their estimated expenditure are not sufficiently large to meet with her approval.

Miss Horsbrugh

The letter to which the hon. Member refers was varied to meet the particular circumstances of individual local education authorities, but its general object was as stated in the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 12th June last. I must make it clear that it did not imply any approval or disapproval of the reduction shown by individual authorities in their April estimates. I am examining the replies so far received from the authorities concerned, but I am not yet in a position to say what, if any, further action may be called for in any particular case.

Mr. Thomas

Is the Minister aware that local education authorities who have already reduced their expenditure to the very zero of safety—and in the opinion of the teaching profession below that line —resented the sending out of this letter? Would she tell the House what she meant by her reference in that letter to the grant it is within her power to give?

Miss Horsbrugh

I think it meant exactly what was said in the letter. I think the words are perfectly clear. What I asked authorities in that letter was to give me full information about the way they had looked at their estimates, about the estimates, because I am responsible for the grant that they receive and therefore I wanted the information. If the hon. Gentleman will read the letter he will see that it neither expresses approval nor disapproval.

Mr. Thomas

Would the right hon. Lady answer Question No. 44, which asks whether she will now publish the letter in the OFFICIAL REPORT?

Miss Horsbrugh

If the hon. Gentleman will tell me which letter to which authority he wishes to be published I will certainly consider it. I have already said that letters were framed differently for different authorities, because I was asking for information. If the hon. Gentleman says he would like to see the letter sent to the Cardiff local authority I will certainly send him a copy.

Mr. Chetwynd

Would the hon. Lady publish the letter to the Gloucester education authority, because I understand that that authority is greatly incensed at the implied threat in the letter that unless they do reduce their estimates she will reduce the education grant to that authority?

Miss Horsbrugh

I assure the hon. Gentleman that I will send him that letter, because it is absolutely untrue to say that in that letter it was stated that if the estimates were not further reduced the grant would not be made. That is not stated in the letter.

Mr. G. Thomas

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter as soon as possible.