HC Deb 01 March 1910 vol 14 cc817-8W
Mr. THOMAS O'DONNELL

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the amount voted by Parliament for secondary schools in England and in Wales in each of the past five years; and what is the amount per pupil in average attendance?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

The total amounts of grant voted by Parliament in respect of secondary schools in England and Wales (including grants in respect of intending teachers, but exclusive of grants on account of Local Science and Art Scholarships) in each of the past five financial years were as follows:—

1905–6 £402,500
1906–7 £571,500
1907–8 £647,000
1908–9 £767,700
1909–10 £791,250

Of the above figures the following amounts were taken for grants in respect of intending teachers (namely, pupil teachers, bursars, and pupils in preparatory classes):—

1905–6 £160,000
1906–7 £232,000
1907–8 £288,000
1908–9 £225,870
1909–10 £160,450

The grants for England and for Wales do not appear separately in the Estimates. Nor have any separate calculations been made for England and for Wales until recently. The total Estimates quoted above for the last three financial years represented a calculation of the needs of the two countries in the following proportions:—

England. Wales.
1907–8 £593,000 £54,000
1908–9 £695,500 £72,200
1909–10 £702,500 £88,750

The Estimates are not based on average attendance, nor is any attempt made to calculate the average attendance of pupils in secondary schools. I am not, therefore, in a position to furnish a reply to the second part of the question.