§ 1. Mr. Terlezkiasked the Secretary of State for Wales what the per capita expenditure on books, educational equipment and materials was in (a) South Glamorgan and (b) Wales for the most recent period of 12 months for which figures are available.
§ The Minister of State, Welsh Office (Mr. John Stradling Thomas)In 1983–84 South Glamorgan's expenditure per pupil on books, educational equipment and materials in primary and secondary schools was £26.10. The Wales figure was £28.20.
§ Mr. TerlezkiI am grateful to my hon. Friend for giving such a good reply. I hope that that expenditure will lessen the scaremongering by the Labour party in the House and in South Glamorgan. Is he aware that the Labour party says that we do not spend as much as we should on education? The record shows that we are spending as much as we can on it in South Glamorgan.
§ Mr. Stradling ThomasI entirely agree with my hon. Friend. So much for the parrot cry of "cuts". Although education resources have been held level in Wales, the number of pupils in schools has declined markedly—by more than 12 per cent. between 1977 and 1984. That is not consistent with allegations about cuts.
§ Mrs. ClwydWhy have the Government £8 per head less to spend per secondary school child in Mid-Glamorgan, which is already bearing the brunt of Government cuts in other respects, than they have to spend per child in England? Does that mean that children in Mid-Glamorgan must get on their bikes and go to England to receive a decent education?
§ Mr. Stradling ThomasNo, not at all. In fact, the figures for Mid-Glamorgan are much better than the hon. Lady implied.
§ Sir Raymond GowerIs my hon. Friend aware—I have informed his Department of this — that I have received a number of letters from the parents of pupils after letters had gone out from schools alleging that the shortages of books and other materials have been due to 604 fairly recently imposed financial constraints? Does hot my hon. Friend's answer suggest either that this is nonsense or that, at best, the shortages must be due to maladministration by or maldistribution among schools?
§ Mr. Stradling ThomasI entirely agree with my hon. Friend. It is up to the education authorities to determine how much to spend on school books and equipment as part of their day-to-day running of the education service. There is no doubt that it is difficult to manage these resources, but that is not an argument in favour of cuts. There have not been cuts. In fact, there has been an increase in expenditure on education.