§ 21. Mr. Edwin Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the amount of money granted to the West Riding County Council for educational purposes during each of the past three years; and what is the figure for the current year.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeLocal authority expenditure on education is met from income by way of rates and the rate support grant paid by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment. Rate support grant is not apportioned to specific services.
§ Mr. WainwrightWill the Under-Secretary tell me whether account has been taken of the deficiencies that exist at present in the Mexborough and District and Staincross divisional education committees for primary and nursery school education, what is to happen to the dining facilities for the Swinton Fitzwillian school, and what savings have taken place by taking away free school milk for schoolchildren?
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeThese are pretty detailed questions, away from the main Question. Most of them are properly directed to the local education authorities concerned. The rate support grant, around which the Question centres, is not apportioned to specific services. That is why, in all good faith, I cannot give a detailed answer.
§ Mr. MarksHas the Minister had his attention called to any local authorities which may not be spending as much on education as the rate support grant anticipated they would?
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeIf the hon. Gentleman has a specific matter in mind, perhaps he will write to me or to my right hon. Friend. In general terms, these are matters within the discretion of local education authorities.