§ 16. Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the divisional superintendent of the Hackney district recently reported to the London education authority that twenty-one infant children who have attained the age of five are out of school, that there is pressure on the schools in South Hackney, and that children are unwilling to attend schools where there are vacant places because of the distance; and whether the Board of Education will now call on the London education authority to supply adequate school accommodation in Hackney?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Pease)I have made inquiries, and I find that a few children over five years old were temporarily excluded just before the half-yearly promotions were made, and have since been admitted. It is a fact that some schools in South Hackney are full, but there is accommodation available in others in the same district. I understand, however, that some parents have chosen to wait a short time in order to get their younger children into a particular school, either in order 1854 that they might attend with their older brothers and sisters, or for some other reason.
§ Mr. PEASEI am told by my inspectors that in London they would not consider a school more than a mile away in the same area.
§ 17. Mr. KINGasked the President of the Beard of Education whether he is aware that the London Education Committee has been informed by its divisional superintendent that there is still great pressure on the school accommodation in Stepney, Mile End, and St. George's-in-the-East; and what action the Board of Education is taking to correct this acknowledged lack of school places?
§ Mr. PEASEMy information is that no children of school age are out of school in the districts mentioned in the first part of the question owing to lack of accommodation. The education authority are proposing to provide two new schools in Stepney and to enlarge two of the existing schools. They also propose to provide a new school in Mile End and another in St. George's-in-the-East, and to enlarge an existing school in the last-named district.
§ Mr. KINGMay I ask why they are proposing such a great deal of enlargement when there are no children out of school?
§ Mr. PEASEIt is in order to meet the prospective increase, and also in order to reduce the number of children in attendance at classes in the various schools.