HC Deb 13 May 1981 vol 4 cc750-1
2. Mr. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was spent per pupil in secondary schools in Scotland in each of the past three years at constant prices.

The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Alexander Fletcher)

Local authority current expenditure on secondary schools at November 1979 prices, excluding items such as meals and milk, was £778 per pupil in 1977–78 and £786 in 1978–79. The provisional figure for 1979–80 is £813 and the provision made in the rate support grant settlement for 1980–81 was £825 per pupil.

Mr. Knox

Is my hon. Friend satisfied that those attending secondary schools in Scotland are benefiting fully from the extra expenditure on their education and that the extra money is not being wasted on more administration?

Mr. Fletcher

I take my hon. Friend's point. We are satisfied that sufficient provision is being made in our secondary schools to give the school population a first-class education. We are constantly urging local authorities to ensure that the expenditure is used in that way and not wasted on unnecessary administration.

Mr. Henderson

Does my hon. Friend agree that there must be increases and decreases of expenditure to keep up with the times? Will he accept that there is widespread appreciation of the Government's increase in funding for microcomputers in schools? Is he aware that already in Madras college in St. Andrews there is to be a demonstration within the next fortnight of the work that pupils have done in programme development?

Mr. Fletcher

I am pleased to hear that. I have seen examples of the splendid use being made of microcomputers in a number of schools in Scotland. Children take to the new technology with great ease. It is therefore most important that the Government's programme should be introduced now so that the younger generation will not grow up with fears of modern technology.

Mr. O'Neill

Surely the Minister is not being frank with the House. He cannot have it both ways. He cannot condemn local authorities for overspending and at the same time—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman must ask a question.

Mr. O'Neill

Will the Minister tell the House what level expenditure on education by authorities would have reached had his guidelines on rating been followed? He cannot claim high levels of expenditure and at the same time condemn local authorities.

Mr. Fletcher

We condemn local authorities which wastefully spend the funds made available. We do not condemn local authorities which make proper use of the funds made available for education—for example, the funds that I was happy to announce to the House this afternoon.