The now famous circular of the Board of Education was
diScussed in both Houses of Parliament last week. We cannot say that we extracted from the debates much in- formation that justifies panic or increases satisfaction. Two ex-Presidents of the Board attacked it in the Commons and Lord Eustace Percy made a vigorous defence, sup- ported by the Duchess of Atholl. He did not admit that economy, i.e., lower estimates for the Budget, was the object, though we all know that reduction in some directions or others are vital to the Treasury. He insisted that the percentage system was unbusinesslike and worked badly in Whitehall without any solid advan- tages outside. There is no- constant ratio between efficiency and expenditure, and Lord Eustace plainly implied that local authorities- may be expected to get more results out of money that they have to raise themselves' than out of the taxes. He repeated that they would have greater freedom under a block system. He was willing to make concessions about children. under five where the need for looking after them outside their homes was genuine.
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