HC Deb 24 January 1957 vol 563 cc378-9
25. Mr. M. Stewart

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education whether he will so increase the grant paid to the Royal Hospital School at Holbrook as to save that school from the necessity of charging fees.

Sir E. Boyle

My noble Friend is looking into arrangements for the payment of grant to this and similar schools, but he does not envisage an increase in the grant payable to one particular school to avoid the necessity for charging fees.

Mr. Stewart

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that it is rather a pity on the one hand to be paying out grants to schools which are predominantly fee-paying schools, and on the other hand to decline to help to save a school which has never charged fees from being obliged to do so? Is he aware that a Government spokesman, during a debate in this House on this matter last July, said that the solution I have proposed here would be one which, from the Admiralty's point of view, would be the simplest, and will he mention that to his noble Friend?

Sir E. Boyle

I believe that my noble Friend is aware of that.