§ 18. Mr. Silvesterasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will abolish the special teacher's allowances for educational priority schools.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsThe social priority allowance scheme is currently under review by the Burnham Primary and Secondary Committee.
§ Mr. SilvesterAs more than half of the children who suffer and do not have the advantage of this scheme are outside these schools, is it not high time that we diverted the £11 million to a more precise method of assisting these children?
§ Mrs. WilliamsThe scheme was introduced in 1974, when it was important to recruit teachers to the inner-urban area schools. It is now under consideration by the Burnham Committee. I have no doubt that it will take into account considerations such as those advanced by the hon. Gentleman. We wanted to ensure that the staffing of inner-urban area schools was adequate for the substantial demands placed upon them.