§ 19. Mr. Christopher Priceasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will amend the formula for the rate support grant so that it includes a substantial element based on the criteria laid down by the Plowden Report on Primary Schools for educational priority areas.
§ Mr. SkeffingtonThe arrangements for the distribution of rate support grant take some account of both the differing needs and the differing rate resources of local authorities. My right hon. Friend is of course, keeping the arrangements under review but he has no proposals at present to amend them.
§ Mr. PriceIs my hon. Friend aware that as a result of this Report the Department of Education has agreed to pay substantial differential capital payments to local authorities to help them with these priority areas, but under the present arrangements for the rate support grant, there is no machinery to pay the necessary extra current expenditure to run those capital projects?
§ Mr. SkeffingtonAs I have explained, my right hon. Friend is keeping this matter under review and no doubt representations can be made to the Ministry of Education, if the need arises.