HC Deb 11 July 1910 vol 19 cc24-5
Mr. KING

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to the Report of His Majesty's inspector on Thornhill Road London County Council School, Islington, stating that in the infants' department in every room except one there are seventy or more children on the rolls, and in two there are eighty-four and eighty respectively, and suggesting that it would be well to provide second teachers in those large rooms where the present teachers are working single-handed, and what steps he is taking to enforce this suggestion; whether he has been informed that the Education Committee of the London County Council have decided that a new school for 1,300 scholars is needed in this neighbourhood in order to provide sufficient accommodation and prevent overcrowding of existing schools, but that the proposals of the Education Committee are being resisted by the Finance Committee of the Council; and whether, in view of this conflict, which is constantly occurring, he will introduce legislation to relieve the Education Committee from the anti-educational control of the Council?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Board have been in correspondence with the local education authority for a considerable time with reference to the overpressure in the Thornhill Road School, which will, I understand, be partly relieved by a school at present in course of erection at Barnsbury Park. With regard to the rest of the question, I am aware that notices to provide 1,300 new school places in this neighbourhood have recently been issued, but I have no information as to any differences which may exist between the London County Council and their Education Committee. I am afraid that it would hardly be practicable in any case to introduce special legislation to deal with the domestic differences of a great local authority.

Mr. KING

Will the right hon. Gentleman press the London County Council to do their duty to the children of London?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

Yes; I have been taking case by case with the London County Council, and asking them to provide improved buildings. The London County Council are doing what they believe to be their duty.