§ 29. Mr. GROVESasked the President of the Board of Education whether he will investigate the reports of his inspectors upon the visits made on 25th May to the West Ham County Borough elementary schools; whether he will specially consider the Report referring to the Abbey school, where, it is stated, physical training is carried out on the right lines, though much hampered by the absence of a hall and the character of the playground; whether he is aware that West Ham is a very overcrowded area, offering no facilities for extension of school premises; and whether he is prepared to make special inquiries and recommendations on behalf of this area?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Lord Eustace Percy)My attention has been called to the reports in question. I am afraid that similar conditions exist in the central areas of many cities. It is for the local authorities, in the first instance, to consider schemes for the improvement of their schools, and though I am quite aware how difficult it is to find a remedy, an authority like West Ham will not solve its difficulties by transferring its responsibilities in the matter to Whitehall.