§ 51. Dr. Kingasked the Minister of Education the total cost of new school building since the war to the latest convenient year; and how much of this is borne by local authorities.
§ Miss HorsbrughThe total value of new primary and secondary schools approved since the war up to the 31st December, 1952, is £167,700,000. Of this about £147,600,000 is financed by local education authorities, almost wholly from loan. The expenditure of authorities in meeting annual loan charges ranks for 60 per cent. grant from my Department.
§ Dr. KingIn view of the heavy burden of rate-borne expenditure which these two items of teachers' salaries and new school building impose on the local education authorities, and as that education expenditure must continue to increase if we are to provide the services required, does not the Minister think that it is about time we reviewed the whole incidence of State and local government expenditure?
§ Miss HorsbrughThe two important factors are the number of teachers required and the number of school places required at this period because of the increased number of children. Those constitute the two big expenses. The country must face the fact and realise that these children must have teachers and schools, and that this is an expanding expense.
§ Mr. RemnantCan my right hon. Friend say what proportion of that total expenditure was on grammar schools?
§ Miss HorsbrughNot without notice.