HC Deb 08 November 1988 vol 140 cc162-3
8. Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from inner London boroughs regarding the level of the specific grant-aid for 1988–89 to cover work preparatory to becoming education authorities.

Mrs. Rumbold

The Government are making available specific grant of £3 million in 1988–89 for the preparatory work of the inner London councils. Some councils have queried their allocations within this figure, but we think that it will be adequate to meet reasonable preparatory costs.

Mr. Hughes

Southwark will spend £460,000 this year in preparing for the handover. The three inner London Tory boroughs have forecast overspends of 32, 64 and 92 per cent. In view of that, how can the Minister of State justify giving each inner London borough only £240,000 when her Department clearly said that it was committed to a successful handover? What should rate-capped boroughs do? Should they skimp on education provision, or should they cut other hard-pressed services?

Mrs. Rumbold

For this financial year, we think that we have given adequate money, £3 million, to enable councils to carry out the preparatory work that they are required to do. In case there is any query about next year's allocation —the £10 million that the Government have given for 1989–90—we have invited Southwark council in particular to give estimates of what it thinks it might spend. If it does that before Friday, we will consider the estimates.

Mr. Spearing

Does not the tentative nature of the Minister's reply illustrate the enormous problems that will face inner London boroughs? In view of what her right hon. Friend said in debate, will she look carefully at the organisation of special schools in central London? If the boroughs have to look after them instead of having a consortium, which is presently being suggested, will not the expenses be even greater and the efficiency of the special schools service much diminished?

Mrs. Rumbold

I think that it will give the hon. Gentleman some pleasure to know that we are carefully monitoring the progress of each of the 12 London authorities that are preparing plans. They are working together to seek the best solution for special schools. Not one of them has presented the sort of problems that the hon. Gentleman might have hoped to see. They all welcome taking on responsibility for education and appear to believe that they can deliver it better than ILEA.