HC Deb 08 February 1968 vol 758 cc206-7W
Mr. van Straubenzee

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science by how much local authorities' expenditure is likely to increase in 1968–69 as a result of the recent increase in further education teachers' salaries.

Mr. Gordon Walker

By about £8 million.

Mr. van Straubenzee

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science to what extent the limitation on local authorities' expenditure in 1969–70 to a 3 per cent. increase in real terms will result in a redistribution of educational expenditure from the Exchequer to the rates.

Mr. Gordon Walker

The Government's expectation is that local authorities as a whole will restrain the level of their expenditure in such a way that there will be no re-distribution as between the Exchequer and the rates. Educational expenditure is one component of the total expenditure by local authorities.

Mr. van Straubenzee

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the basis of his estimate that the changes in the school-building programmes will result in a reduction of public expenditure by £30 million in 1968–69.

Mr. Gordon Walker

This estimate, which also covers Scotland, takes into account the saving in 1968–69 resulting from the withdrawal of the special building allocations for raising the school-leaving age offset by expenditure resulting from the £8 million of starts authorised to assist authorities in carrying out their plans for secondary reorganisation. It also takes account of the estimated net saving in expenditure during the year on professional fees, land acquisition and purchase of furniture and equipment.