HC Deb 29 May 1913 vol 53 cc318-9
49. Mr. KING

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the recognised accommodation of St. Peter's school, Chorley, Lancashire, is 243, but that this school had an average attendance of 254 in 1910, of 246 in 1911, and of 247 in 1912; and whether the managers of this school will be warned that the overcrowding must not continue more than four years?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Trevelyan)

The hon. Member's figures relate to the mixed department of the school only. The total recognised accommodation of the school is 369, namely, 243 mixed, and 126 infants. The actual average attendance of scholars for the years ended 30th September, 1910, 1911, and 1912, respectively, was: in the mixed department, 244, 238, and 236, and in the infants' department 105, 106, and 105. He will, therefore, see that for the last two years the average attendance has not exceeded the recognised accommodation. The Board will always take such steps as are in their power to remedy overcrowding whenever it occurs.

Mr. KING

Is it not compulsory under the Code to keep, not only the whole school, but the different departments from overcrowding?

Mr. TREVELYAN

That is done as far as possible.

Mr. KING

But not enough.

Mr. TREVELYAN

These figures show that neither department is overcrowded.

50. Mr. KING

asked the President of the Board of Education, whether he is aware that the recognised accommodation of St. James's school, Chorley, Lancashire, is 355, and that the average in 1910 was 380, in 1911 it was 368, and in 1912 it was 368; and whether schools which are overcrowded for more than three years are considered to infringe Article 19 of the Code which prohibits habitual overcrowding?

Mr. TREVELYAN

The hon. Member's figures relate to the mixed department of the school only. The actual average attendance for the three years in question was 364, 353, and 354, so that for the last two years the average attendance has not exceeded the recognised accommodation. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.