§ 2. Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what European Economic Community funds are being made available to the Inner London Education Authority and other education authorities in England or Wales for projects concerning school leavers.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Miss Margaret Jackson)A programme of pilot projects is being developed under the Education Ministers' resolution of 13th December 1976 on the preparation of young people for work, and it will be jointly financed by member States and by the Community. The Commission will make grants totalling about £105,000 per year over three years to the Inner London, Sheffield and Bradford education authorities.
§ Mr. SpearingWhatever the merits of these pilot projects, which are probably required, why is it that they cannot be financed either by local authorities in the normal course of action or by the Government? Why does the EEC have to come into local education matters?
§ Miss JacksonI take my hon. Friend's point that he would wish these projects to be totally financed from this country. However, in view of the substantial sums that we pay into the coffers of the Community, there is something to be said for getting back as much as we can.
§ Mr. HaselhurstIs it not extremely important that encouragement should be given to experiments of this sort? Might there not be further initiative from the Department to ensure that children may spend more time out of school buildings in order better to pursue their preparation for work?
§ Miss JacksonIt has been the policy of my Department for a considerable period to seek to encourage projects of this kind.