HC Deb 08 March 1922 vol 151 cc1303-4W
Lieut.-Colonel HURST

asked the President of the Board of Education to what extent the Board will continue to make-grants to such non-provided secondary schools as receive grants-in-aid from a local education authority; whether he is aware how greatly the Board's grant of £5,000 a year has contributed to the successful work of the Manchester High School for Girls; and whether ho can give any assurance as to the continuation of this grant?

Mr. FISHER

I presume that the hon. and gallant Member is referring to the recommendation on page 115 of the first Interim Report of the Committee on National Expenditure, that where a school receives financial assistance from a local authority, the direct grant from the Board should cease and no further grant should be made to that school except through the supporting local authority as an intermediary. While accepting the recommendation in principle, the Government have decided to spread its application as regards existing schools and arrangements over a period of five years. It will, of course, be understood that no extension of such arrangements will be permitted. The Board will issue a circular on the subject as soon as possible.

Sir J. HOPE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government proposals with regard to education will increase or decrease materially that part of the cost of education which is borne by local rates?

Mr. FISHER

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The gradual removal of the anomaly under which the State contributes an excessive proportion of the cost of maintaining non-provided secondary schools will involve some relatively inconsiderable transfer of cost from taxes to rates. But a great deal will depend on the extent to which local education authorities adjust their own expenditure to the total amounts which are available for grants under the provision made in the Estimates, a process in which they will, I hope, be greatly assisted by the fall in prices.