§ 17. Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will increase the funds allocated for textbooks for the academic departments of technical colleges.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsThe allocation of funds for this purpose is a matter for local education authorities as part of their general responsibility for providing further education.
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerIs the Minister aware that an increasing number of students are taking non-technical courses at these technical colleges and that in present circumstances these grants are quite inadequate? Will he see whether his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer could not be a little more generous in this way?
§ Mr. RobertsThat is a somewhat separate question. Expenditure on text- 686 books, whether technical or otherwise, is taken into account in assessing the rate support grant to local authorities. I know of no evidence that any particular authority is unable to make adequate allocation from its funds in its own area for this purpose. We are, however, continually watching this, like every other aspect of the disposal of funds.