asked the Minister for Education if he will outline the level of grants in lieu of tuition fees to secondary schools since 1977; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

It has been decided to increase the grant in lieu of tuition fees from £70 to £77 with effect from the commencement of the school year 1981-82.

The amount of the grant was £50 on 1 January 1977 and was increased to £66.50 with effect from 1 January 1978. It was further increased to £70 as from the commencement of the school-year 1979-80.

Is the Minister aware that the increase granted for 1981-82 is 10 per cent while the rate of inflation for 1981 is expected to be in the region of 20 per cent? In other words, the increase in the capitation grant to be applied for 1981-82 is roughly half the inflation rate. Is the Minister aware of the serious damage that will be caused in respect of maintenance and the general quality of educational services? Further will the Minister explain why the claim was not allowed in respect of the school year 1980-81?

The increase was granted from the beginning of the year for the reasons I set out in respect of the previous question. I will make some points about this matter. The grant was £50 in 1975-76 and was £50 in 1976-77. The amount was not increased until 1 January 1978, when I increased it to £66.50. I started from a low base but I think I did reasonably well in increasing the grant from £66.50 to £70 and then to £77.

Is the Minister aware that during the period 1977-81 the rate of inflation has been roughly 68 per cent? The inflation rate is higher than the amount of increases granted by the Minister.

What was the inflation rate after the first oil increase? At that time the grant of £50 was not increased.

Two wrongs do not make a right.

I do not accept there is anything wrong in the decision I made.

Will the Minister not accept that the increase given in the past three years is less than the inflation rate during that time?

I made an honest effort to give a substantial increase.

It is not enough.

It is never enough.

Is there any significance in the pattern that seems to be emerging in the Minister's replies, that all increases in grants are given by him but where increases are refused it is done by the Government?

That is not so. I accept collective responsibility with the Government for everything and I am proud to do so.