§ 84. Mr. ROBERT RICHARDSONasked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that the Wallasey Educa- 1421 tion Authority in their two secondary schools have only 12½ per cent. of free places in the Grammar School and 10 per cent. in the High School, that they refuse to extend the number of free places, and that the fees have been raised by £1 1s. per term; and if he will say what action, if any, he proposes to take so that the children attending the elementary schools who are fitted, and whose parents are unable to pay the fee, can be given a secondary education?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Herbert Lewis)The percentages of free places required by the Board in the Wallasey Grammar School and the Wallasey High School for Girls are as stated in the question. I have not been informed that the local education authority refuse to increase the number of free places beyond the Board's requirements, but, if this is so, their decision is probably due to the fact that they propose to open, in September next, free secondary schools for about 360 boys and 360 girls. This extensive provision of free accommodation appears to render it unnecessary for me to take any action at present with regard to the percentage of free places at the existing schools. As regards the fees charged at those schools, the Board have received an application from the authority for their approval of the increase mentioned in the question, and the matter is under consideration.
§ Captain LOSEBYIs the right hon Gentleman aware that in one instance there were 25 per cent. of free places, and why this differentiation in secondary schools of the same type?