§ 41. Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Education whether he has noted the tendency revealed on page 105 of the recent volume of education statistics for male secondary school scholars over fifteen to decrease, and secondary school scholars under twelve to increase; and whether it is the policy of the Board to discourage the education of elder scholars and to lower the average age of the scholars as a whole?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Pease)I have noted the tendency to which the hon. Member refers. It certainly does not represent the policy of the Board, but, in my opinion, it is due to a variety of causes, most of which are probably of a temporary nature.
§ 50. Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that Spanish is only taught in five secondary schools on the Grant list, but is taught in seventy-seven evening schools; and, having regard to the commercial importance of the Spanish tongue, especially in connection with our expanding trade in South America, he will urge the teaching of Spanish in secondary schools?
§ Mr. PEASEThe answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. Attention has been called to the importance of Spanish in a Memorandum on the Teaching of Modern Languages in Secondary Schools, issued by the Board last year, and advice is, in suitable circumstances, given in this sense to school authorities by the Board's inspectors.