§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many children of Service personnel are currently educated at public expense in the private sector of education in the United Kingdom; how this figure divides between children of officers and other ranks; and what is the cost to public funds of the education of both officers' and other ranks' children.
§ Dr. GilbertMembers of the Services who decide to send their children to boarding school to give them continuity of education may claim boarding school allowance. Not all the schools attended are in the private sector; at the most recent date for which a division is available—1975—just over 11 per cent. attended LEA maintained schools.
533WThe total cost of the allowance in 1977–78 is estimated at £20 million excluding grossing for tax. This relates to some 16,800 children of officers and 4,900 children of other ranks.