HC Deb 04 April 1962 vol 657 cc441-2
21. Mr. Lawson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what additional assistance he proposes giving education authorities for the building of schools in new towns.

Mr. Brooman-White

Loan charges in respect of school building in new towns, as elsewhere, are relevant expenditure for purposes of general grant. My right hon. Friend will, before next Session, consider, in consultation with the local authority associations, suggestions that have been made for amending the formula for the distribution of general grant.

Mr. Lawson

Since it has been found necessary to give special treatment to new towns in respect of many services, for example, houses, in view of the large number of young children in proportion to the population, and because many of these children for whom schools will have to be found in the new towns are living in areas now in receipt of grants for them, will the Under-Secretary bear in mind that there are some factors which make it necessary for new towns to be given special consideration to meet financial difficulties?

Mr. Brooman-White

We are well aware of the problems which have arisen and they will be carefully considered in the review.

Miss Herbison

Does the Minister believe that he will get the agreement of local authorities on these discussions and that the new town areas will be given something special in the general grant? Does not he realise that there will be great difficulty about getting agreement and that it is the duty of the Secretary of State to ensure that local authorities which have new towns in their areas do not penalise the rest of the area because they have to provide new schools in the new towns?

Mr. Brooman-White

As I have said, we are well aware of the problems. It would be most unwise for me to speculate on what will or will not be agreed by the local authorities. We should like to reach some arrangement to meet the problem.