HC Deb 19 March 1997 vol 292 c668W
Mr. Sweeney

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will undertake a review into the establishment of an education standard spending assessment in Wales equivalent to that which exists in England. [20526]

Mr. Gwilym Jones

With the agreement of the Welsh Local Government Association, standard spending assessments for local authorities in Wales are unhypothecated. It is for each authority to decide its spending priorities taking account of its statutory responsibilities and its own view of needs and priorities. The current system should encourage local accountability.