§ 9. Mr. W. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the fact that the raising of the school-leaving age will involve greatly increased expenditure on education by local authorities, resulting in substantial increases in local rates, he will make a statement on the way this financial commitment is to be shared between local rates and national taxation.
§ Mr. NobleThe additional cost of raising the upper limit of the school age will be taken into account in the review of local government finance which is now in progress.
§ Mr. HamiltonHas any estimate been made of this cost? What consultations are taking place between local education authority associations and teachers as to sharing the increased burden?
§ Mr. NobleThis must inevitably be an estimate, but the additional annual current expenditure in Scotland will, we think, be about £9 million. These problems will be discussed with the local authorities, because this is part of the review of the whole question of local government finance.
§ Mr. HendryIs it not the case that the declared policy of the Labour Party, to abolish fee-paying schools in Scotland, will also make a quite substantial increase in the burden on local authorities without any corresponding advantage whatever?
§ Mr. ManuelIn connection with the problems raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, West (Mr. W. Hamilton), will the Secretary of State take cognisance of the additional cost to education authorities which are receiving overspill from Glasgow and which will add to the number of school buildings which will be necessary in the area?