§ 43 Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Education (1) how many education authorities have received during the current and preceding financial years Grants to assist technical instruction for the glass industry; what is the total amount of those Grants in the two years; what number of students attend, or have earned Grants in, the classes so assisted; (2) whether he is aware that such technical instruction as has been given in recent years in glass manufacture has been directed more to the decorative than to the operative and productive sides of the industry; whether, in view of the complete failure of the supply of certain classes of glass products from Germany and Austria, steps are being taken, either under the special research proposals or by means emanating from the Board, to enlarge the range and increase the output of our glass industry; and (3) whether he can state, by recourse to figures and Reports readily available, the total amount of money from Grants, rates, endowments, fees, and other sources of income which has been expended by local educational authorities or university colleges in the year 1913–14 on instruction connected with the glass industry; and whether this amount will be increased during the current year?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Herbert Lewis)Nineteen local education authorities have received Grant from the Board of Education during the current or the preceding financial years in respect of technical instruction for the glass industry. In the majority of these cases the instruction given related to design and the artistic treatment of glass rather than to the productive and operative sides of the industry. Owing to the fact that in the majority of cases the schools in which instruction was given were receiving a block Grant in respect of their work, it is impossible to state the total amount received from Government Grants and from other sources in respect of the glass industry classes, or the total amount of the expenditure on the classes. It would also be difficult, without considerable labour, to obtain the number of students attending classes relating to the glass industry only. The Board realises the importance of encouraging in every way technical instruction relating to the operative and productive sides of the industry, and are prepared to assist so far as is within their power any local authority which may desire to establish such classes. So far, however, there has not been much demand for such instruction from employers and workpeople, and I understand that the experience of the Department of Technology of the City and Guilds of London Institute, which has for many years offered examinations in glass manufacture, confirms the Board's experience in this matter.