§ MR. GORDONasked the Vice President of the Council, Whether any, and if so, how many, Public Elementary Schools were established and opened for teaching by School Boards prior to the 1st of January 1872, under the Elementary Education Act, 1870; and, whether he can give a Return of such Schools, specifying the places in which they are, the dates at which they were opened, and the number of scholars in attendance?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERI cannot, Sir, give the right hon. Gentleman the precise information he asks for; but we have ascertained the number of board schools established up to the 27th of January last, and perhaps that will serve the purpose. Up to that time, in boroughs outside the metropolis, there were 55 board schools at work, 33 of them new schools, and the remainder transferred. In parishes, not boroughs, there were 107 board schools, 57 of which were new; and in London, 14 board schools, all of which were transferred. The number of children in these 176 schools was 19,718. But I may state that this is really no guide whatever as to the action 1323 of the Boards, for there has not yet been time for them to build schools, or for the transfers to be made. The numbers will, no doubt, increase to a great extent.