§ 34 Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Education (1) whether 124 voluntary schools in London have been included in the Survey Report of the Board on unsatisfactory voluntary school premises; how many children are now in average attendance in these 124 schools; what steps are being taken to make sufficient satisfactory accommodation for these children; (2) whether the St. Michael's non-provided school, Paddington, has been condemned by the Board of Education both in regard to the playground, ventilation and heating, and that the general accommodation falls below the standard; whether the managers have been warned that this school cannot be recognised unless improvements are made; whether a date has been or will be fixed for the completion of the necessary work; (3) whether the St. Peter's Church of England school in St. George's, Hanover Square, has been condemned in respect of the playground, which is in the basement; whether the lighting, heating and ventilating arrangements have been scheduled for improvement; whether the managers have undertaken to bring the school up to the requirements of the Board; and (4) whether the premises of the St. Mark's, Hamilton Terrace, Mary-lebone, school, which are recognised for 483 children, have been condemned; that the boys have no playground but spend the recreation intervals in a narrow passage; in what year were the managers first informed that their buildings required improvement; and what action is being taken to ensure improvement within a reasonable time?
Mr. PEASEI am, of course, aware of the number of schools mentioned in the schedules and appendix of our letter to the London County Council. The total average attendance in these schools for the statistical year ended 31st July, 1913, was 47,654. I can say generally that whilst the matters referred to are the subject of correspondence between the authority, the managers, and the Board, I am not in a position to say what action may be taken in each case to secure improvement.
§ Mr. KINGDoes the right lion. Gentleman realise that he is the trustee for the health and good education of these 47,000 children; and will he use these new Grants as a lever for putting these schools in order at once?
Mr. PEASEI have not got them yet. When I have them, I shall put such pressure on the authorities as seems to me prudent.
§ Mr. HOAREDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that any useful purpose is served by the hon. Member for North Somerset (Mr. King) asking these detailed questions on subjects which are now—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe right hon. Gentleman is not responsible for the questions.