Education spending varies widely between the 22 Welsh counties

Education expert Professor David Reynolds said the gap was growing and his call for an inquiry into a funding "lottery" was backed by Plaid Cymru.

But Welsh Education Minister Jane Davidson said the way money was spent was a matter for local authorities.

She said there was no suggestion cash was not reaching schools, and budgets were rising well above inflation.

The figures, given to the Welsh assembly's education committee, showed that variations in spending per pupil between areas were bigger than last year, according to Prof Reynolds.

Overall education budgets will go up by 8.5% in this financial year. But while school funding will increase by 3.2% in Merthyr, it will go up 12.3 % in Conwy.

Prof Reynolds, of Exeter University, praised Welsh councils for planning to spend more on education over and above the extra funding they were being given by "raiding" some other services.

An average of �2,700 a year is spent per primary pupil

But he said the difference in spending between areas was only partially explained by such factors as the cost of running rural schools.

"My bet is that that probably explains no more than 30-40% of the difference, and probably two-thirds of the differences are simply history," said Prof Reynolds.

"They are random things (such as)what power the education department has in different local education authorities, and the expenditure is varying without rhyme or reason."

Transport costs

Education Minister Jane Davidson said there was no basis for the suggestion that money was not getting through to schools. There were increases for all areas.

The minister said average funding per pupil would rise from �3,668 in 2003/4 to �4,039 in 2004/5. While the biggest gap between Welsh counties was �989, she said it was "far greater" in England.

She attributed the gap in funding per pupil partly to "historical" patterns inherited by councils, and factors such as high transport costs and small schools.

New proposals by UK Government Education Secretary Charles Clarke will mean the differences grow between education funding in Wales and England.

Mr Clarke announced this week that schools in England would have more autonomy and choice over spending. Heads will have three-year, ring-fenced budgets.

Prof Reynolds said although many heads in Wales would like their own ring-fenced budgets, the route being followed in Wales was defensible, with money going to the assembly, and then to councils.

Plaid Cymru assembly education spokeswoman Janet Ryder backed the call for a task force, and urged greater clarity on education funding.