Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary for Scotland whether the new education charges in some places are as high as £70 to £80 per child; whether cars are engaged at the cost of the rates to take individual children long distances to school and back; and, if the answer be in the affirmative, whether he proposes to 419W take action to bring the cost of education within the means of the ratepayers and taxpayers of Scotland?
§ Mr. MUNROI have no information as to the educational expenditure per child in individual places where, owing to particular difficulties, the cost is necessarily much above the average cost per child throughout the country. The responsibility for arrangements for the conveyance of children to and from school where this is found to be necessary, is placed by the Education (Scotland) Acts upon the Education Authority. Cars are engaged by some authorities for this purpose in preference to conducting expensive small schools. The cost does not fall as an exceptional burden upon particular places, but is chargeable to the education fund of the authority concerned. I cannot assent to the implication underlying the last part of the question. I would, however, refer the hon. Baronet to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stirling and Clackmannan (Sir H. Hope) on the 21st July. When the necessary information has been obtained, the matter will be carefully investigated with a view to determining whether a case has been made out for special relief of individual parishes and, if so, how it can be compassed.