HC Deb 24 July 1952 vol 504 cc54-5W
88. Mr. Morley

asked the Minister of Education which local education authorities make flat-rate grants to parents who wish to send their children to independent schools, irrespective of the parent's means; and under what regulations such payments are made.

Miss Horsbrugh

The only circumstances in which I consider that authorities may pay independent school fees without regard to parents' means are where the authority's own provision is educationally insufficient. Otherwise, in view of the terms of Section 81 of the Education Act, 1944, any assistance with such fees should be on an income basis, and I understand that this principle is now being generally observed.