HC Deb 08 March 1923 vol 161 cc703-4
37. Mr. GRUNDY

asked the President of the Board of Education how many cookery centres and manual instruction classes have been closed since December, 1921, and the locality and name of the education authority; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter.?

Mr. WOOD

I may refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave him on the 22nd February. The two county areas to which I referred in the answer are West Sussex and Lincolnshire (Lindsey): and the Education Committee in Sheffield are submitting proposals to the council for similar action there. The matter is receiving my very close attention.

Mr. GRUNDY

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman get the information, so that we may know how many centres are closed, and how many classes for special subjects, so that at least we may know the number of teachers who are thrown out of employment by the closing of these classes? Does not he think it a shame that the children should be deprived of this instruction?

Mrs. WINTRINGHAM

Is not the closing of these classes rather doubtful economy, considering the number of teachers who become unemployed, and also considering the expense of the buildings and the cost of the equipment that is already there?

Mr. SPEAKER

That is an argument.

57. Sir H. BRITTAIN

asked the President of the Board of Education what facilities are given by schools under the Board of Education to enable the pupils to acquire instruction in cookery and domestic science; and what proportion of those attending the above schools go through these courses?

Mr. WOOD

Article 2 (5) of the Code of Regulations for Public Elementary Schools provides that, wherever possible, practical instruction in domestic subjects, including cookery, should be given to the older girls in such schools. Provision is made in the Board's Regulations for secondary schools for inclusion in schools for girls of practical instruction in domestic subjects; and in the Regulations for technical schools for instruction in those subjects to be given in full-time and in evening or other part-time classes.