§ Sir W. Bromley-Davenportasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many representations he has now received from individuals and councils about the Government's educational cuts, and in particular about the stoppage of milk in some independent schools and reductions in adult non-vocational classes; and what reply he has sent.
§ Mr. Edward ShortI have received a number of representations about educational expenditure, including a number on the provision of milk in independent276W schools and on adult education. I have replied to the effect that expenditure will continue to rise (at constant prices from £2,280 million in 1968–69 to £2,474 million in 1970–71, as shown in Table 2 of Cmnd. 3936); that some restraint is necessary because of the overriding need, in present circumstances, to switch resources to the balance of payments; and that, whilst my advice is to give priority to the training and employment of teachers, detailed decisions on expenditure must be left to the responsible local authorities.