§ 18. Mr. Hattonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she expects the level of Government spending on education during the financial year 1974–75, already announced, to be sufficient to meet the proposals as set out in the recent White Paper on future priorities in the education service.
§ Mrs. ThatcherYes, Sir.
§ Mr. HattonIs the right hon. Lady aware that her optimism contrasts sharply with the views of chief education officers who are now wrestling with their financial estimates for the next financial year? Indeed, if the Department is prepared to advise local authorities on the continued expansion of the education service, is it not incumbent upon the Government to see that sufficient funds are available?
§ Mrs. ThatcherThe hon. Gentleman will have his full answer when the public expenditure White Paper comes out at the turn of the year. He will be very well aware that expenditure on education in local authorities has been rising extremely fast and looks like continuing to rise.