§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what is the number of children in regular receipt of school uniform grants and her Department's estimate of the number of children entitled to receive such grants; on what basis her Department's calculation is made; what are the total sums involved; and what were the corresponding figures in the past five years;
(2) what is the number of children in regular receipt of school clothing grants and her Department's estimate of the number of children entitled to receive such grants; on what basis her Department's calculation is made; what are the total sums involved; and what were the corresponding figures in the past five years.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonThe powers of local education authorities to make uniform grants and to help with essential clothing are discretionary and we have no information on the numbers of pupils assisted or of those entitled to assistance. Total expenditure under these heads in 1975–76 is estimated at £5.7 million. Corresponding figures for the five years 1970–71 to 1974–75 were respectively £1.6 275W million, £1.9million, £2.4 million, £2.7 million and £3.5 million.