§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if for the removal of doubt he will bring in a Bill to make clear that local education authorities are empowered to provide clothing required for physical education and games free of charge to pupils from low-income families.
§ Mr. ArmstrongThe powers of local education authorities in this respect are discretionary and we do not ask how each authority exercises its powers.
§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many local education authorities provide and how many do not provide clothing required for physical education and games free of charge to pupils from low-income families.
§ Mr. ArmstrongLocal education authorities' powers to assist in this way are given publicity by the authorities themselves and by various welfare organisations, and reference to assistance with clothing for schoolchildren is included in the Government's free booklet "Family Benefits".