asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what was the total amount of public expenditure on further education in Great Britain and in each of the English regions for the latest year for which figures are available; and if he will express the total expenditure per capita of each student attending such institutions;(2) what was the total amount of public expenditure on further education in Wales for the latest year for which figures are available; and if he will express the total expenditure per capita of each student attending such institutions.

In the financial year 1972–73, for England and Wales the net recurrent expenditure on further education and expenditure per student are shown in the table below. Regional figures for England could be provided only with disproportionate labour. Figures for Scotland are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

	Total net recurrent expenditure	1972–73 outturn prices Unit cost per student*
	£m.	£
England	313·1	464·3
Wales	14·3	403·0
England and Wales	327·4	461·2
* Part-time students are included on a full-time equivalent basis.

These figures exclude loan charges, capital expenditure met from revenue and expenditure on student support.

(a) DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND SCIENCE EXPENDITURE
		Financial Year
		1963–64	1964–65	1965–66	1966–67	1967–68
Recurrent (£000 at outturn prices)		879	1,023	1,072	1,183	1,262
Capital (£000 at outturn prices)	…	—	—	47	67	56
		Financial Year
		1968–69	1969–70	1970–71	1971–72	1972–73
Recurrent (£000 at outturn prices)		1,394	1,547	1,807	2,017	2,371
Capital (£000 at outturn prices)	…	100	46	24	3	10

As regards local education authority expenditure, information is not available about (i) the years 1963–64 to 1968–69, (ii) recurrent expenditure on adult education in major establishments of further education or (iii) capital expenditure. Recurrent expenditure on evening institutes for the years 1969–73 was as follows:

Financial year	Net recurrent expenditure (£000 at outturn prices)
1969–70	10,079
1970–71	11,455
1971–72	12,702
1972–73	15,517

Within broad limits, it is for local authorities to decide how to deploy their resources among the services they provide and I cannot forecast what they will choose to spend on adult education in 1975–76. Subject to approval by Parliament, I hope to be able to afford a modest increase for the direct grant sector.