§ 25. Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Education, whether he is aware that the latest volume of statistics shows that, after excluding all the scholars under five years of age, there remains in Kingston-on-Thames a roll of 5,441 scholars and accommodation for only 5,428; whether his inspectors have reported how many class-rooms are habitually used for a larger number of scholars than that for which they are passed by the Board; whether he is aware that 26 per cent. of the scholars are in overcrowded schools; and what steps are being taken to enable all the children between five and fifteen years of age to attend school if their parents desire it?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. J. A. Pease)The figures as stated in the first question are approximately correct, but the numbers on the books fell steadily between 1909 to 1912. During last year, in four departments, there was only a slight excess, amounting in the worst instance to eleven units. Last month overcrowding existed in only three departments, and amounted to five units in all. Taking the school accommodation and average attendance as a whole, there were more than 500 places to spare in the authority's area, and such overcrowding as exists can probably be relieved by rearrangements. Both the authority and the Board are watching the situation closely.
§ Mr. KINGWill the right hon. Gentleman press for a rearrangement so that no one will be overcrowded?
§ 26. Mr. KINGasked whether the latest published figures show that in York over 23 per cent. of the scholars are in overcrowded schools, and that the average attendance exceeds the accommodation in ten departments of the Bedern, Bilton Street, St. Clement's, St. Deny's, St. Lawrence's, and St. Margaret's Church of England schools; will he say how long this overcrowding has existed; and on what date does he expect it to be remedied?
§ Mr. PEASEThe school years referred to all terminated upon dates between August, 1910, and July, 1911. The excess of average attendance over accommodation was due to the reassessment on the 10 and 9 square feet basis. Since the date of the published figures a new council school for 540 children and a temporary council school for 128 have been opened, another council school for 800 is under construction, and accommodation has also been provided in another school for a further 176 children. These measures are the result of correspondence between the Board of Education and the local education authority, and are expected to provide all the places needed.