§ 28. Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of fees at independent schools and direct grant schools are at the moment paid by local authorities in respect of pupils living in their area, or by local Government departments in respect of pupils whose parents are Government employees.
§ Miss Joan LestorLocal education authorities at present pay the fees of virtually all the pupils who attend non-maintained special schools, about half of those attending direct grant schools—other than special schools, and about 7 per cent. of those attending independent schools. Certain Government Departments pay to 545W employees, in certain circumstances, education allowances which may be used in payment or part payment of fees for their children at non-maintained schools; and local education authorities have power to give assistance with fees at non-maintained schools to the extent necessary to avoid hardship. The proportion which children covered by these arrangements represents of the total numbers attending the schools concerned is not known.