§ Sir A. Bossomasked the Minister of Education if he will allay the fears of those who suspect that the system of block grants will lead to a reduction in educational standards by making a firm undertaking to exercise his statutory powers to ensure that local authorities do not permit education in their area to fall below proper national standards.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydI can assure the hon. Member that I shall retain adequate powers to ensure the observance of the standards laid down in my Regulations, and I shall not hesitate to use them if occasion arises.