§ 53. Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to statistics recently laid before the Birkenhead education authority which show that from free schools in Birkenhead one child in every 180 was summoned for non-attendance, whereas from the fee-charging schools one in every eighty was summoned for non-attendance during the last six months; that from free schools one child in every eighty has to be provided with free meals while in fee-charging schools one in every forty was so provided; and whether, in view of these figures, which show the greater poverty and worse attendance of the fee-paying schools, he will urge on the Birkenhead local authority to abolish all fees in their elementary schools?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. J. A. Pease)I have not seen any statistics of the character described by the hon. Member. With regard to the last part of the question, I may refer the hon. Member to my answer to a similar question put to me on 14th April, a copy of which I am sending him.
§ Mr. KINGWill the right hon. Gentleman try and find out from the local authorities, if he cannot accept the figures from me?