§ 17. Mr. David Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy that each secondary school in Scotland should receive the same additional allocation of moneys as their English and Welsh counterparts in the current year for books and equipment, in order to implement the changes in the curricula and examination system.
§ Mr. Allan StewartThe Government have already made substantial additional resources available for standard grade. Since 1984–85 we have allowed in our provision for local authority current expenduiture for staffing of 6 per cent. above Red Book (significantly above the earlier recommended levels) and we have also allowed for additional non-teaching costs of £1.5 million in 1985–86 and £2 million in 1986–87. The Government are also spending £750,000 this year on development officers and course materials for standard grade in addition to the566W £4.14 million already spent on similar support in previous years. The concession allowing schools to close for up to 10 days a year for in-service training and preparation also still stands. Moreover, standard grade, unlike GCSE, is being introduced on a phased basis and ordinary grade examinations are being retained for the time being.