§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the per capita expenditure on books by local education authorities; and what was the comparable figure a year ago.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherFigures for the current financial year are not yet available.
The per capita expenditure, at November 1979 prices, on books in schools was £6.71 in 1978–79 and £7.09 in 1979–80.
§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has received any evidence of book shortages in, respectively, primary, secondary, and special schools; and if he will publish it.
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§ Mr. Alexander FletcherI have no reason to think that there is any general shortage. My right hon. Friend has made provision in the rate support grant for planned expenditure per pupil on non-teaching costs, which include books and materials, in 1981–82 to be maintained at the 1980–81 levels.