§ Mr. H. MORRISONasked the President of the Board of Education why the Wilts local education authority have been deprived of grants on an expenditure of £415 13s. 4d. incurred in the year ended 31st March, 1920, on the preliminary training of teachers; whether the grants would have been paid if the expenditure had been incurred on the secondary-school education of the same pupils if they had not been appointed teacher can- 1707W didates; and whether he is prepared to review this decision with a view to allowing the expenditure to rank for grant?
§ Lord E. PERCYAt the date of the introduction of Deficiency Grant, a grant was payable on the expenditure of local education authorities up to £30 on the maintenance of intending teachers. The Regulations which governed this grant continued in force up to the 31st March, 1921, and consequently in assessing Deficiency Grant for the years 1919–20 and 1920–21, the Board have been unable to recognise any expenditure incurred in excess of the £30 limit. Ordinary pupils at secondary schools stand on a different footing, no expenditure grant in respect of them having been in operation prior to the introduction of the Deficiency Grant. The same procedure has been applied to all authorities alike, and my right hon. Friend cannot make an exception in favour of the Wiltshire authority.