§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, further to his reply dated 24 February, Official Report, column 403, concerning the cost of school transport, whether the figure quoted was net of revenue; and if he will publish the gross and net figures for each of the previous five years at 1980–81 prices together with his estimate of the figures for 1982–83.
§ Dr. BoysonThe figure quoted was gross of revenue. The gross and net figures for the years 1976–77 to 1980–81 at 1980–81 outturn prices were as follows:
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£ million Gross Net 1976–77 141.2 140.7 1977–78 140.7 140.1 1978–79 150.0 149.2 1979–80 153.1 152.5 1980–81 150.4 149.7 The Government's expenditure plans for 1982–83, as embodied in the rate support grant settlement, allow for cash provision for net expenditure on home to school transport of £181.4 million. This takes into account the projected further fall in the numbers of pupils in 1982–83. On the basis of the Government's factors for price increases, this would be equivalent to about £146 million at 1980–81 outturn prices. No forecast is made of gross expenditure.