§ Mr. FISHERasked the President of the Board of Education whether it is proposed to treat the provision of central elementary schools or additional secondary schools as new projects or services which must wait for the provision of new money by the Government when the national revenue improves, or whether he regards expenditure by local education authorities for these purposes as development of essential services in aid of which a margin above the amount required for the minimum block grants must be provided by the Government?
§ Lord E. PERCYI do not think that any general rule can be laid down. For
— 1923–24 (audited accounts). 1924–25 (pre-audit returns). Increase. £ £ £ Higher Education—Administration … 604,000 669,000 65,000 Elementary Education—Administration … 2,595,000 2,677,000 82,000 Elementary Education—"Other" Expenditure … 7,492,000 8,077,000 585,000 10,691,000 11,423,000 732,000 In the item "Other" Expenditure for the year 1923–24, the sum of £1,391,937 is included for upkeep of buildings, and £100,978 for transfers to loan and capital account. The figures for 1924–25 do not contain similar particulars at the pre-audit stage.
As regards the last part of the question, the suggestion made in the Circular on
490Wone thing, as the right hon. Member is, of course, aware, the provision of central elementary schools as part of a general re-organisation may often result in an actual reduction of expenditure. My policy is based upon the principle that the Government and Parliament can never be in a position to distinguish between essential and non-essential services until the present practice of giving vague encouragement to general educational expansion is replaced by a system of specific encouragement of defined projects worked out in agreement with each local authority.