§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the cost to public funds in the latest year for which figures are available of university and college student unions; and what change in that sum he forecasts as a result of his announcement of 5 February.
§ Dr. BoysonThe latest estimate was £13 million for 1976–77. Figures are not available on which to base a forecast of the amount of public funds to be provided766W Radcliffe in 1980–81 will be; whether cuts will maintain the quality and standard of education in Bury and Radcliffe; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BoysonThe Government's plans, set out in last November's public expenditure white paper (Cmnd. 7746) and embodied in the rate support grant settlement for 1980–81, provide nationally for the maintenance of per capita standards in the essential parts of the education service. It is however for individual local authorities to determine the detailed distribution of their expenditure reductions between and within services in the light of local needs and conditions.