§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will list those local authorities which have (a) cut and (b) abolished their budgets for school clothing grants, detailing those authorities who are advising parents that they can claim help from the Supplementary Benefits Commission; and if she will ask these authorities to cease providing this information, which is misleading.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonMy Department does not collect information about how local education authorities exercise their discretionary power to provide school clothing grants. The practice of the Supplementary Benefits Commission in giving assistance for the provision of children's clothing is explained in the Supplementary Benefits Handbook, copies of which are available to all local authorities and to members of the public through Her Majesty's Stationery Office.