60. Mr. PERCYasked the President of the Board of Education if he will give the minimum ages at which children are obliged to attend the elementary schools in America, France, Switzerland, and Germany; the ages at which they can leave such schools; and the educational 542 cost per head to the respective governments of the children attending such schools?
Mr. LEWISIn France attendance is obligatory from 6 to 13. In Germany, the United States and Switzerland there is considerable variety of practice as between one State or Canton and another, but I will send the hon. Member such information as I have. I regret that I have no up-to-date material enabling me to give the cost per head to the respective governments of the education of children attending elementary schools.
Mr. LEWISNo, I am afraid it would be impossible for me with the material at my disposal to state the cost per head in foreign countries.