Major THOMASasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what would be the estimated cost to his Department if the school-leaving age were raised to 161.
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMAny estimate must necessarily be somewhat speculative, but it is considered that, including maintenance allowances, the cost to public funds of raising the school
780Wleaving age to 16 in England and Wales would be not less than £18,000,000 per annum, of which about £10,000,000 would fall on the Exchequer.