HC Deb 02 August 1956 vol 557 cc1579-80
26. Dr. King

asked the Minister of Education whether he will increase the grant at present paid to the Greenwich Royal Naval School in order that this school may continue to provide free education for all its pupils.

Mr. Vosper

I have nothing to add to the Answer which I gave to the hon. Member for St. Pancras, North (Mr. K. Robinson) on 23rd July.

Dr. King

Is the Minister aware that, under Section 100 of the Education Act, he can make grants to cover the whole of the fees and expenses for any education facility in the country, and that if this school had been a private school he could have made a special agreement with it, or it could have become a direct grant school or even a controlled school? If he really believes in free secondary education, will he use this Act of Parliament to save this unique free public school?

Mr. Vosper

That is a very different question, as I think the hon. Gentleman understands. The grant which has been given to it over a number of years is really a nominal grant, and to do what he wants would mean that there would be an increase in that grant to many times its present level. This problem could not be considered in isolation from those of many other schools equally affected. For that reason my right hon. Friend considered, with reluctance, that he could not increase the grant at the present time.