§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will estimate the full-year cost to his Department of increasing the grant to maintained Catholic schools to 100 per cent.; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DunnMy right hon. friend pays maintenance contribution to the governors of voluntary aided and special agreement schools in England in respect of their expenditure on both repairs to the school buildings and capital projects. It is not possible to show separately the contribution made to the governors of Roman Catholic aided schools. Contributions are not made by my right hon. Friend in respect of voluntary controlled schools; these are wholly maintained by local education authorities.
Maintenance contribution at the rate of 85 per cent. is paid on governors' eligible expenditure. An increase in the rate to 100 per cent. for the forthcoming financial year would require provision to be increased from £74.1 million to £87.2 million, a rise of £13.1 million.