§ 6. Mr. KINGaskd the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the number of children between fourteen and fifteen years of age in English and Welsh public elementary schools was 53,926 in 1903 and 37,114 in 1913; and whether it is the policy of the Board of Education to discourage and restrict the higher and advanced classes in elementary schools?
§ Mr. H. LEWISThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, except that the figures quoted are those for the years 1903–4 and 1912–13 respectively. I may refer my hon. Friend to the answer circulated with the Votes to-day for an explanation of the difference between the figures for the two years. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.