§ 48 and 49. Mr. Goodhartasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if she will ensure that all education authorities in England and Wales spend at least £1 sterling per child in primary schools on school textbooks in 1971–72;
(2) if she will take action to maintain the proportion of education authority expenditure allocated to books.
§ Mrs. ThatcherI attach great importance to the provision of adequate school books and equipment but expenditure on these items is a matter for the local education authorities to decide.