§ 63. Mr. CAIRNSasked the President of the Board of Education if, in view of his statement in a speech at Kingston some time ago to the effect that there are certain areas in the country where the staffing arrangements in schools are now upon a somewhat lavish scale, and where such reductions can be effected without loss of national efficiency, he will explain where the staffing arrangements are upon a lavish scale?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Herbert Fisher)The question whether the staffing of the public elementary schools in a. particular area is in any degree excessive is one which requires most careful consideration, and can only be decided satisfactorily after consultation between the authority and His Majesty's inspector, with due regard to all relevant local circumstances, including the character of the school buildings, the quality of the staff available, and the needs of the children. The Board have been in communication with a certain number of authorities upon this question already, and propose to pursue it further; but it is a matter with which I can hardly deal in the limits of question and answer in this House.
§ Mr. CAIRNSBefore the right hon. Gentleman made that statement, did he acquaint himself with the facts?
§ Mr. FISHEROf course.