§ Mr. KINGasked whether the recent action taken by the Board of Education has resulted in reducing the number of free places in a number of secondary schools, and, if so, what reasons can be given for this policy; and whether it is intended to impose any test of poverty upon all those applying for, or offered, free education in State-aided secondary schools?
Mr. PEASEThere are 937 schools on the Grant list which are required under the Regulations to provide a certain percentage of free places. This percentage is normally 25, but it is liable to annual revision. At one of these schools no fee has been charged; in 812 the normal percentage is demanded, and in the remaining 124 a lower percentage, varying from 20 to 10 per cent., has been sanctioned for reasons relating mainly to financial circumstances, the adequacy of provision of free places in neighbouring schools, and the existence of a large percentage of boarders. For the school year 1911–12 a reduction of twelve places in respect of sixteen schools already on the Grant list has been sanctioned. Four schools at which thirty-five free places would have been required have been removed from the Grant list. It is estimated 230 that 422 further free places will be available in respect of twenty-six newly recognised schools, making a net increase for the year of some 375 free places. During the school year 1911–12, 351 of the free places offered were not taken up. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative. Free places are restricted to those who can show a previous attendance of at least two years at a public elementary school.
§ Mr. KINGDo not these large reductions of the percentages of free places amount to a change of policy, and ought not that change of policy to be submitted first to the House?
Mr. PEASENo, Sir, there has been no change of policy at all, and if the hon. Member will study the figures that I have read out he will see that there is actually an increase in the number of free places provided.
§ Sir RYLAND ADKINSDoes the 25 per cent, in the case mentioned in the Returns justify the right hon. Gentleman in saying that it is 25 per cent, of the children admitted to the school in one year, or 25 per cent, of the total number of the children in the school?