HC Deb 29 March 1922 vol 152 cc1324-5
105. Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked the President of the Board of Education whether any other education authorities have adopted the same position in regard to day continuation schools as the West Ham local authority in their refusal to take legal proceedings to enforce attendance; and whether he can give any approximate sum as to the cost of day continuation schools throughout the country?

Mr. FISHER

At the end of March, 1921, the Birmingham Local Education Authority ceased to maintain day continuation schools on a basis of obligatory attendance, and I understand that the Kent Local Education Authority do not enforce the attendance at London schools of young persons employed in London. The expenditure of local education authorities on day continuation schools in the current financial year is now estimated at less than £500,000.

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that on the whole, as the local authorities are gradually dropping them, they might be done away with altogether and save the £500,000?

Mr. FISHER

I am awaiting the decision of the London County Council.

Mr. W. THORNE

Is it not a fact that the reason why West Ham and other local authorities dropped this particular Act is in consequence of the hostility of the employers?

106. Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked the President of the Board of Education how many children are of the age at which they should attend day continuation schools, and how many do so attend?

Mr. FISHER

According to the latest authoritative information at my disposal, namely, the census of 1911, the number of young persons between the ages of 14 and 16 was 1,357,226. I cannot say how many of these would have been liable to the obligation to attend day continuation schools, regard being had to the statutory provisions for exemption. In London the number of scholars enrolled is now about 41,000, but I have not at present the figures for the schools in Swindon, Rugby, and Stratford-on-Avon.

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

Will the right hon. Gentleman make a thorough inquiry into the position of these schools with a view to their being discontinued for the present?

Mr. MILLS

Will the President of the Board of Education have some regard to the most critical years of adolescence?