§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will study the proposal of the London borough of Newham to grant £25 per week to all pupils of 16 years and over who remain at school or college; what is the policy of his Department on such schemes; whether he will assist in funding this project; and whether he will consider its national application.
§ Mr. William SheltonI am seeking further information on this proposal and will write to the hon. Member when this has been considered. The local education authority is presumably proposing to draw on its powers to make discretionary payments. All local education authorities have such powers and it would be for individual authorities to consider extending their present arrangements in accordance with their powers as they judged appropriate.