§ 22. Mr. Allen McKayasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent meetings he has had with local authority organisations about cuts in local government expenditure on education.
§ Mr. Mark CarlisleI last met representatives of both the Association of Metropolitan Authorities and the Association of County Councils on 31 January 1980 when we discussed, amongst other things, the Government's expenditure policies.
§ 31. Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will issue a circular to local education authorities indicating to them that they should not seek savings in their education budget during 1980–81 by means of reducing facilities available for the education of handicapped children.
§ Mr. Mark CarlisleNo. I have made it clear on several occasions that I wish to see standards of provision in special education maintained; but it is for individual local authorities to make their own decisions in the light of local needs and conditions.
§ 54. Mr. Parrisasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of the savings in education spending required by Government policy for the current financial year is being 165W made within educational institutions themselves; and what proportion is being made within central and local government administration.
§ Mr. Mark CarlisleExpenditure on education is now planned to fall by some £250 million between 1978–79 and 1980–81. Some 80 per cent. of this fall is expected to be achieved through reduced expenditure on school meals and milk and a further 1½ per cent. through reduced expenditure on administration by central and local government. Current expenditure by educational institutions is expected to increase very slightly.