HC Deb 25 October 1983 vol 47 cc133-4
12. Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science from what higher figure to what lower figure of expenditure per secondary school pupil the Inner London education authority would need to reduce its expenditure in order to comply with the lower limits indicated by him in his written answer of 20 July.

Mr. Dunn

As I said in my reply to the hon. Member's previous question, it is for the authority itself to decide on its priorities for spending within its own budget. The figures that I quoted show quite clearly that the authority should be able to make significant reductions in its spending without reducing its ability to provide an effective service.

Mr. Spearing

Does the Minister not recall that in his answer on 19 July he claimed that the ILEA was overspending by 66 per cent.? Therefore, why should we not conclude that, in the view of the Government, spending on each pupil should be reduced by a similar figure?

Mr. Dunn

The hon. Gentleman cannot avoid the inescapable fact that the financial and educational difficulties of the ILEA, which weigh heavily on the people of inner London, came about entirely because of the Labour party's policies. I remind the House that in the two years from 1981–82 to 1983–84 the ILEA's budget increased by 20 per cent. when pupil numbers were falling faster than the average.

Mr. Bottomley

Has the ILEA produced any measurement by which it could show that any of its voluntary extra spending was producing better educational results?

Mr. Dunn

I am not aware of any such evidence, although I should be pleased to see it. The Labour party would do well to advise its friends in the ILEA not to pursue their expensive, misleading and alarmist campaign.

Mr. Dobson

Will the Minister confirm that if the ILEA were to meet the Government's expenditure targets it would have to abandon adult education, close nursery schools, double the price of school meals and entirely stop the grants that it gives to enable older children to slay on at school?

Mr. Dunn

The House will be aware that the hon. Gentleman is quoting from a campaign leaflet which it would do well to ignore.

Mr. Dobson

Not true.

Mr. Dunn

The ILEA's provisional target for 1984–85 is £798 million. As for all other authorities, it was set at a level reflecting its relative level of spending this year and the Government's assessment of what reduction it might reasonably be asked to make next year. In fact, it is 6 per cent. above its target for this year.