§ 20. Mr. Carterasked the Secretary of Station for Education and Science what has been the percentage increase in grants for school uniforms since 1970.
§ Mr. St. John-StevasThis information is not available in the Department. The grants are made at the discretion of local education authorities.
§ Mr. CarterIs not the hon. Gentleman being rather shy about these figures? Does he agree that the figure for school uniform grants is now almost equal to that for free school meals? The figures, which are now running at historic levels, graphically illustrate the appalling priority of the Government's social and economic policies. Does the Under-Secretary agree that under the present Government more families than ever before are unable to provide for the basic needs of their children?
§ Mr. St. John-StevasThat statement is neither factual nor, more important, does it arise from the Question. There is no question of being shy about the figures. Local authorities have no obligation to submit schemes to the Department about their provision of school uniforms. As far as we can tell, grants are in the region of f12 to £15.