§ 40. Mr. Chetwyndasked the Minister of Education the estimated saving in the expenditure of furniture and equipment arising from the limitations imposed on local education authorities in Circular 304.
§ Sir D. EcclesI cannot estimate the saving because I do not know how much local authorities would have spent in the absence of the circular.
§ Mr. ChetwyndIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that his efforts to secure economy by reducing standards below what is reasonable are causing considerable alarm and disquiet to local education authorities? Will not the right hon. Gentleman replace this latest circular?
§ Sir D. EcclesNo, Sir. A great many education authorities, I would think probably the majority, are well below these cost limits, and the circular is merely put out to warn those who happen to be going rather too far in spending money on equipment.