§ Mr. J. E. B. Hillasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his estimate of the increase in real terms of expenditure on education in each of the next four years, in total, and on schools, further education and higher education, respectively.
§ Mr. Edward ShortBetween this financial year and the next I expect public expenditure on schools in Great Britain to increase in real terms by 4.5 per cent.; on further and higher education by 3.4 per cent.; and on education as a whole by 3.8 per cent. I cannot give precise figures for 1970–71, but total expenditure on education in that year should rise by about 4.5 per cent. No decisions have yet been taken on expenditure in 1971–72 and 1972–73.
§ Mr. Christopher Priceasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science 155W how many local authorities have curtailed, or are intending to curtail, school swimming instruction in the light of the Government's instructions to restrict increases in expenditure to 3 per cent. in real terms.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThis information is not available.
§ Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will take steps to prevent the dismissal of teachers' helpers in infant schools by local education authorities in connection with recent proposed cuts in education expenditure; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Edward ShortThis is a matter within the local education authorities' discretion.
§ Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consultations his Department has had with representatives of teachers' unions and associations in connection with staff dismissals resulting from local education authorities' cuts in expenditure; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Edward ShortNone.
§ Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many local education authorities have responded to his Department's request to reduce expenditure by dismissal of teachers' helpers in infant schools.
§ Mr. Edward ShortMy Department does not collect systematic information about the action local education authorities are taking on matters within their discretion (such as employment of teachers' helpers) in response to the Government's request to restrain the rate of growth of their expenditure.
§ Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what guidance was issued by his Department accompanying the recent request to local education authorities to restrict increases in educational expenditure, with especial reference to staff dismissals.
§ Mr. Edward ShortI refer my hon. Friend to paragraph 15 of the Report by the Minister of Housing and Local Government on the Rate Support Grant Order, 1968 (H. of C. 24).