§ 8. Mr. KINGasked the President of the Beard of Education whether he has seen the Report on London elementary schools, dated 26th May, 1914 (No. 33), showing that 124 schools in London, accommodating over 54,500 scholars, were condemned as unsuitable or insanitary by the Board; whether the London education authority or the Board of Education has taken any measures to improve these 124 schools; whether any have been closed; whether the Education Act of this Session will be invoked to deal with the problem; whether he will call for a scheme to supply the 54,500 places condemned; and whether any immediate action will be taken?
Mr. FISHERI presume that the question refers to the Board's letter of the 14th April, 1914, to which lists were attached of certain non-provided schools, the premises of which had not been condemned but showed defects of varying degrees of gravity. In reply to the hon. Member's question on the 19th April, 1917, it was explained that since the outbreak of war three of the schools had been closed; in twenty other cases definite plans for improvement had been submitted, and a large number of the remaining cases had been discussed between the Board and representatives of the managers and the local education authority. Owing to the restrictions on building nothing more can be done at 101 present, but the matter will not be overlooked and will again be taken up as soon as practicable.
§ 9. Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Education the number of elementary and secondary schools, respectively, which were on 30th September occupied wholly or partly by the military, naval, or other Government authorities for purposes other than education; how many scholars were thus displaced; in how many schools were double shifts of teaching operative; and whether he will endeavour to fix a date by which the whole of the schools thus interfered with shall be restored for the purposes of education?
Mr. FISHERSo far as schools recognised by the Board of Education are concerned, the numbers were: 209 public elementary schools, with about 138,380 pupils, and 37 secondary schools, with about 10,530 pupils. The number of schools conducted on the double-shift system was 99, all public elementary schools. I can assure my hon. Friend that I shall endeavour to secure the restoration of all these premises to educational uses at the earliest possible date.