§ Mr. O'DONNELLasked the President of the Board of Education what was the number of children on the rolls in the public elementary schools of England during the year ended 31st March, 1910; the average grant from the Exchequer per pupil on the rolls for the same period; and what is the contribution for elementary education per head of the population?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Runciman)I hope the hon. Member does not attach any special importance to the words "on the rolls" as it is much easier to give him the information that he desires on the basis of average attendance. I assume for the purpose of my answer that the average attendance basis will satisfy him. The total number of children in average attendance during the year ended 31st March, 1910, in public elementary schools, including "special" schools, in England and Wales was 5,384,152. The average grant from the Exchequer per pupil in 2424 average attendance during the same period was £2 1s. 4d.; and the contribution in grants from the Exchequer for elementary education was equivalent to 6s. 2d. per head of the population on the basis of "the population as estimated to-the middle of 1910."