§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what study he has made of the acute education needs of population-growth areas like the Cannock Chase on the borders of major conurbations: if he will take steps to provide additional educational resources in these areas: and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Mark Carlisle:The Government have made a careful study of the whole range of local authorities' needs to enable "grant related expenditures" to be calculated for the purposes of the new block grant system. This should lead to a more equitable distribution of Government grant. It will continue to be for each authority to decide what it should spend on education and other individual services: like the present rate support grant, block grant will not be earmarked in any way.