§ 7. Mr. Alec Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received regarding the effects of the cuts in public expenditure on the education service in Wales.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI received a letter on 18th January from the Rhondda Excepted District of the Glamorgan Education Authority about educational building from now until 1975.
§ Mr. JonesAs these cuts in public expenditure and education in Wales are a direct result of the Government's failure and are likely to have serious repercussions on the education of our children, would it not be more honest for the Government to indicate how and where these 1181 cuts may be made rather than to shield behind local authorities which are having to carry the blame for the Government?
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI agree that local authorities are anxious to have the matter clarified as soon as possible. All local education authorities are at present having consultations with my Department on this very matter. The hon. Gentleman will be happy to know that, despite the deferment of the improvement programme, the range of projects to be undertaken by July 1975 still exceeds those undertaken by the previous administration.
§ Mr. George ThomasIn view of the very serious effect upon local government services in Wales of the proposed cut in expenditure, will the Secretary of State provide us with a White Paper indicating how he believes that the various services in Wales are to have cuts applied? He has given some very strange replies this afternoon, indicating that he does not know how on earth the cuts are to be applied.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI can certainly let the right hon. Gentleman know the proposed cuts in each of the services. There is a Question down today on this very subject. The right hon. Gentleman will appreciate that this Question relates solely to the education service.