§ 22. Mr. Wrightasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the close estimates already required from and submitted by grant-aided schools in Scotland for the financial year 1967–68 will be allowed to have added to them the salary increases due to teachers in April 1968 before being treated as the final estimates for the year.
§ Mr. MillanNo, Sir.
§ Mr. WrightDo the Under-Secretary and his right hon. Friend appreciate the significance of that reply? We have already been warned that there are cuts in the direct grants to schools, and we are now being advised, are we not, that parents will face a double blow when the close estimates become final? Is it the Minister's intention to destroy grant-aided schools. or does he intend to force them to be independent of the State school system?
§ Mr. MillanThe cuts already announced in the assistance to grant-aided schools have been very modest. In a. period when Government expenditure as a whole is being cut, it is only right that the grant-aided schools should bear their part of the burden.