§ 98. Mr. Deedesasked the Minister of Education whether he has considered the resolution from the Kent County Council,
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§ Mr. BevanThere are 86 Remploy factories employing 5,097 severely disabled persons. 4,926 of these are men, and 171 women. In addition, 146 homeworkers are employed.
§ Mr. M. MacPhersonasked the Minister fo Labour whether he will list the products now made at Remploy factories.
§ Mr. BevanThe activities of Remploy, Limited, may more conveniently be summarised under trades, and they are as follow:
a copy of which has been sent to him, calling attention to the high cost of education and requesting economies by the central Government; and what action he proposes to take on that request.
§ 99. Mr. Arbuthnotasked the Minister of Education whether he will make a statement arising out of the resolution of 26th February by the Kent County Council, a copy of which has been sent to him, which draws attention to the burden of expenditure borne by the ratepayers and urges Government action to lighten this burden until such time as the financial resources of the nation are improved.
§ 100. Squadron Leader Burdenasked the Minister of Education if he has considered the resolution sent him by the Kent County Council with regard to educational expenditure; and what action he intends taking.
§ Mr. TomlinsonI have received a copy of the resolution. The increased expendi- 87W ture on education in recent years in this, as in other areas, is due mainly to the increase in the number of children of school age and the general increased cost of goods and services. I have no power to relieve local education authorities from the performance of their statutory duties, nor can I undertake to discriminate in favour of particular authorities in the payment of Exchequer grant. In Circulars 209 and 210 I have, however, brought to the attention of authorities suggestions for securing economies, and these measures continue to be applied.
§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Education if, in view of the increasing expenditure borne by the ratepayers of Kent on education, he will take such action as may be necessary to reduce such expenditure until such times as the financial resources of the nation are adequate to meet the full implications of the Education Act, 1944.
§ Mr. TomlinsonI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given today to the hon. Members for Ashford (Mr. Deedes) and Dover (Mr. Arbuthnot) and the hon. and gallant Member for Gillingham (Squadron Leader Burden).