§ 1. Mr. Goodhartasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a further statement about the implementation of the report of the Bullock Committee on Literacy.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Miss Margaret Jackson)I hope that, despite current financial constraints, all those with responsibilities in education will continue to keep in mind the Bullock Committee's 1172 recommendations, which covered all aspects of teaching the use of English in schools. The committee's report is too important to be set aside, although its full effects may not be felt for some time.
§ Mr. GoodhartDoes the Minister recall that the Bullock Committee expressed grave concern about the shortage of school books in many areas? Does she recognise that since then the increase in capitation allowance has not kept up with the rapidly increasing costs of the publishing industry? What is she going to do about it?
§ Miss JacksonI am aware that capitation allowances, like all other forms of expenditure, have been affected by inflation. This is something of which the Bullock Committee made a feature, but these are primarily matters for local authority associations, as well as my Department. I have received no representations from them about the level of the allowances.