HC Deb 22 March 1910 vol 15 cc936-7
Mr. O'GRADY

asked why the air and floor space per child in the elementary schools was not the same as that of the secondary schools?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Runciman)

I presume that the question refers not so much to the fact as to the Building Regulations of the Board, which are more stringent in this respect as regards secondary schools than as regards elementary schools. If that is the case, the answer is that the Board are compelled to bow to considerations of economic practicability. The Board's requirements in respect of public elementary schools represent the irreducible minimum consistent, in their opinion, with the preservation of the health of the children and the efficiency of the schools. The requirements in respect of secondary schools approach more nearly to the ideal which the Board would gladly see applied to all schools of whatever type, but the enforced application of this standard to all the 20,000 public elementary schools in the country would entail an enormous outlay in new or extended buildings.

Mr. O'GRADY

Are we to understand that there is preferential treatment in the secondary schools?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

There is no preferential treatment, but, as the hon. Gentleman knows, there is a different standard set up for elementary and for secondary schools.