HC Deb 12 February 1975 vol 886 c354
6. Dr. Bray

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the expenditure per year per pupil in primary and secondary schools, respectively, in Lanarkshire, and in Scotland as a whole.

Mr. Robert Hughes

The estimated Scottish figures for 1972–73 are £150 and £333. Area figures are not generally available, as most education authorities, including Lanarkshire, do not distinguish between primary and secondary expenditure in their accounts.

Dr. Bray

Will my hon. Friend ensure that in future these figures are made available on a regional and sub-regional basis? If they were now available, would they show that resources for education in Lanarkshire are way below the national average and should be increased?

Mr. Hughes

It is our intention that when the new regional authorities come into being they will make their returns in such a way that expenditure in primary and secondary schools can be shown as my hon. Friend requests.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

What will be the effect on expenditure per pupil and on the quality of education in Scotland of the savage cuts in the school building programme which were announced last week in such a cowardly way by the Secretary of State in a Written Answer? Why did he fail so miserably to get a fair deal for Scotland on school building?

Mr. Hughes

The position is that expenditure on education in Lanarkshire and elsewhere in Scotland will continue to increase. As for the rest of the question, we can discuss that later.

Mr. Taylor

When?