69. Mr. MALONEasked the President of the Board of Education how many children under five there are attending the London County Council elementary schools; what is the academic qualification which will be required of the new type of teacher to be appointed to instruct these children and what will be the annual saving effected by the London County Council and by the Treasury, respectively, by the employment of the 100 persons about to be engaged?
Mr. LEWISThe number of children under five on the registers of public elementary schools in London, on the 31st March, 1921, was 29,124. With regard to the second part of the question, my right hon. Friend understands that the infants' assistants will not be selected by examination, but careful regard will, of course, be had to their educational record as well as to their personal qualities, and some preliminary training will be given them before they enter upon their duties. With regard to the third part of the question, the Council's proposals have only very lately been submitted to the Board, and my right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to estimate the saving which might be effected.