Mr. T. THOMSONasked the President of the Board of Education the amount paid last year in the form of increased grants to highly-rated areas for educational services, and to how many authorities; the average amount so paid for the previous three years, and the amount he estimates will be paid this year, and to how many authorities; and whether he can see his way to reduce the prescribed amount of the local education rate required to qualify for this grant from 4s. to some lower figure so as to spread this relief over a larger area?
§ Mr. FISHERThe amount of increased grant to highly-rated areas for the year 1921–22 cannot be determined until the accounts of that year shall have been completed, and audited and examined. On the data at present available it is estimated at about £180,000, payable to 15 authorities, and it is expected that, approximately, the same figures will apply to the current year. The amount payable for the two previous years was: 1919–20, £191,487; 1920–21, £207,301. Comparison with earlier years would be misleading, because of the change in the grant system dating from the 1st April, 1919, whereby the greater part of the assistance previously given to the highly-rated areas by way of special addition was from the 1st April, 1919, forward included in the ordinary grant payable under the revised formula. I regret that I do not see my way to reduce the prescribed amount.