§ 13. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Education what amount and proportion of the total expenditure on general grant services was for education in the last year of the percentage grant system; what amount and proportion of the general grant was allocated in 1960 for education by local authorities; and what information he has in respect of local government allocations for education next year.
§ Sir D. EcclesLocal authority expenditure in 1958–59 on services now covered by the general grant was £639 million. Of this, £5:38 million, or 84.2 per cent., was for education.
The general grant is paid in aid of the general revenues of the recipient authorities and it is not possible to say what part of the grant itself is allocated to any particular service.
§ Mr. SorensenIs it not true that local authorities have suffered as the result of the reduction after the change from the percentage grant system?
§ Sir D. EcclesThat is not my information. I think that they are spending just about the same percentage.