HC Deb 19 November 1970 vol 806 cc1405-6
9. Mr. William Price

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total amount of public money spent on education in 1963–64; and what is the estimated figure for 1970–71 at current prices.

Mrs. Thatcher

Sums of £1,434 million and £2,030 million respectively, at constant prices, for expenditure on universities in Great Britain and other educational expenditure in England and Wales.

Mr. Price

Would the Minister not agree that that was a remarkable increase under a Labour Government? Would she give an assurance that there will be a similar increase in percentage terms under the present Administration—assuming it lasts that long?

Mrs. Thatcher

I agree that it was a quite large increase, but the hon. Gentleman will be hard put to it to find, whatever Government was in power, a year in which there had been a decrease.

Captain W. Elliot

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that during that period the school population rose enormously and that, in fact, the expenditure per student probably decreased?

Mrs. Thatcher

The school population certainly went up and will continue to go up with the raising of the school-leaving age, which the last Government deferred.