§ MR. CARLILEI beg to ask the President of the Board of Education if he will state the number of new school places already sanctioned by the West Riding County Council in enlargements and new schools in that riding; and whether there are 1,660 fewer children on the registers than on the appointed day.
§ MR. MCKENNAI cannot say how many new school places have been sanctioned by the West Riding County Council since the appointed day, but 18,552 school places have actually been provided in council schools. I have no statistics as to the number of children on the registers on the appointed day, which 782 was the 1st April, 1904, but the average attendance in the year 1906–7, the last year for which figures are available, was 3,222 greater than in the year 1904–5.
§ MR. CARLILEWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the Question as to the number of places already sanctioned by the West Riding authorities?
§ MR. MCKENNAI said 18,552 had been actually provided.
§ MR. CARLILEThe right hon. Gentleman misunderstands the Question. I want to know the number sanctioned to be provided.
§ MR. MCKENNAI have not that information.
§ MR. LANE-FOXIn view of the enormous excess of school places over average attendance in the West Riding, will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence to prevent this undue burden being thrown on the ratepayers?
§ MR. MCKENNAI have no figures before me which justify me in agreeing that there is an enormous excess of school places.
§ MR. LANE-FOXDo not the figures show an excess of 80,000?
§ MR. MCKENNAI am not aware of the basis on which they were reckoned.