§ Mr. MARRIOTTasked the President of the Board of Education whether he can give any later figures than those which he furnished on the 30th May, showing how the estimated expenditure of local educational authorities for elementary and higher education compares with the expenditure assumed for the purposes of the Board's Estimates for 1922–23; and whether he is satisfied with the economies which have been made?
§ Mr. FISHERThe aggregate estimated expenditure for 1922–23 of local education authorities on elementary education is, according to the latest figures in my possession, £61,800,177, as compared with an assumed expenditure of £62,450,000. The aggregate estimated expenditure on higher education is £12,927,916, as compared with an assumed expenditure of £13,000,000. These figures show that local education authorities generally have made serious endeavours to effect such economies as are possible consistently with maintaining the efficiency of the1490W public system of education. The result of these economies, so far as concerns the sufficiency of the Board's Estimates for 1922–23 is reassuring, though the increasing expenditure on superannuation of teachers, owing to an accelerated rate of retirement, introduces an element of uncertainty. I, of course, assume that the amounts of their several estimates will be adhered to by the local authorities, and they must not expect that expenditure in excess of them will be recognised for the calculation of grant. But there are some authorities whose Estimates for 1922–23, as compared with those for 1921–22, show an expansion which I must ask them to explain and justify before I can accept their proposed expenditure for the calculation of grant. I hope that the local education authorities will continue their efforts to effect economies, not only to meet the financial difficulties of the current year, but in order to carry the educational service, for the local administration of which they are responsible, successfully through the difficulties which may confront us next year.