§ 37. Mr. Awberyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education what progress has been made in the discussions with regard to the effect of the new structure of state grants to local authorities upon the education grant and upon the future education programme.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education (Sir Edward Boyle)I cannot yet add to what I said in the debate on 5th April.
§ Mr. AwberyIs the Minister aware that people who take a particular interest in education, such as teachers' organisations, are very much concerned about the allocation of the grant, which might affect children in future? Will he give an assurance that, in the reallocation of the grant, the position will not be worse than it is now?
§ Sir E. BoyleI know the concern about this matter. I made a fairly full statement on it in the House on 5th April. I would ask the hon. Member to have a look at that, because it contains the answers to some of the questions he has asked.
§ Mr. EdeWill the hon. Gentleman help to clarify the matter by removing some of the cloudiness with which he surrounded his statement on that occasion?
§ Sir E. BoyleI thought my statement was pretty precise.