§ Sir WALTER MENZIESasked the Lord Advocate what was the total amount available for distribution this year under Section 15 of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1908; what was the total amount of the balance of the Education (Scotland) Fund available for distribution under Section 16 (2); what amount was or will be distributed to school boards or other managers of schools for every pupil in average attendance in each county respectively as an addition to the fee grant under Section 17 (11); and what is the present average attendance in schools in Scotland under which the distribution will be made?
§ Mr. UREThe estimated figures under the various sub-sections of Section 15 of the Act are given in the Memorandum prefixed to the Minute of 3rd June, 1909, and on these figures the distribution for 1909–10 will be made. The total amount available for distribution this year under Section 16 (2) is £421,831, as stated in the Memorandum. The allocation is shown on page 4 of the Minute. The amount to be distributed to school boards and other managers of schools within any district as an addition to the fee grant, in terms of Section 17 (11) of the Act, cannot yet be stated. In reply to my hon. Friend's last question, I may remind him that the fee grant is paid on the average attendance of individual schools for their various school years ending between 31st March, 1909, and 28th February, 1910 (see Article 129 of the Code), and the rate payable under Section 17 (11) will vary with the626W balances which may be found to be available in the respective districts. The total average attendance on which the distribution will be made cannot be known until all the averages for the school years ending between the date named have been ascertained.