§ 13. Mr. Christopher Priceasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy toward the proposals of the Expenditure Committee on grants for 16-year-olds at school.
§ Mr. ArmstrongThe Government's response to these proposals will be set out in a White Paper as soon as possible.
§ Mr. PriceDoes not my hon. Friend think that Government Departments like his own should take reports of the Expenditure Committee rather more seriously than his Department has taken this one? Is he aware that the raising of the school leaving age represented a real cut in the standard of living for the poorest families? Does he realise that the Government have a responsibility to do something about this?
§ Mr. ArmstrongI certainly take on board what my hon. Friend says. He will know that this is a sector of education in which I am particularly concerned. Before the Committee reported we set up a fact-finding survey. We are now considering the results of that survey. I assure my hon. Friend that my Department takes the report very seriously indeed. We hope to publish the White Paper before the Summer Recess.
§ Mrs. Winifred EwingIs the hon. Gentleman aware that in Scotland a person aged 16 can legally marry and that we regard such a person as an adult? Is it not therefore absurd to try to classify these people as children? Is it not time that they received a grant in the same way as adults?
§ Mr. ArmstrongThat is a different matter from the original Question.