§ 15. Mr. SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what capital funding allocations have been made to local education authority schools in Nottingham for 1996–97. [9430]
§ Mrs. GillanThe annual capital guidelines for capital work in schools in Nottinghamshire local education authority in 1996–97 are £2.811 million.
§ Mr. SimpsonWill the Minister explain to parents in Nottingham if there is any fairness in a system that makes available on average £5,000 in capital allocations to a local authority school, compared with £250,000 in capital allocations to grant-maintained schools? Will she also explain fairness in a system that made available four times the amount of capital allocations to the city technology college than to all the Nottinghamshire schools combined? Is that not an example of a Government committed, if not to capital punishment, to capital programme punishment of the state education system?
§ Mrs. GillanThe hon. Gentleman should know the answer to his question. Capital funding comparisons on the basis of central Government support alone are misleading. Local education authorities have access to capital receipts and revenue moneys, while GM schools are almost entirely dependent on Government grants. It is for the local education authority to decide what proportion of its capital spending is directed towards schools in Nottingham and whether to supplement borrowing sanctioned by its ACG from other sources, including capital receipts and revenue budget.
I suggest that, as the Labour party has controlled the county council for 14 years, perhaps the hon. Member should address his questions to his own party members.