§ 53. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the President of the Board of Education what number of places there are in the elementary school at Armthorpe, near Doncaster; and the number of children of school age resident in the same area
§ Lord E. PERCYThe Armthorpe Church of England School is recognised by the Board as providing 133 places. The number of children of school age now resident in the district may be estimated at about 250, and I understand that in 1492 consequence of colliery developments the population is increasing considerably. The local authority have issued public notice of their intention to provide a new school for about 1,000 children, and are endeavouring to obtain a site, upon which they propose, in the first instance, to make immediate temporary provision pending the erection of the permanent school. The Board have expressed their willingness to give immediate consideration to these proposals.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs not the Noble Lord aware that in all these South York shire mining areas the school accommodation problem is very acute, and that the local authorities are always years behind in anticipating requirements? Will he use his influence to see that in future mining districts are not in the same position as Armthorpe is in to-day?
§ Lord E. PERCYI am very anxious to secure that in any planning of future mining developments proper provision shall be made for schools, but I am afraid it is hardly fair to blame local education authorities if housing outruns the provision of schools, in view of the great difficulty of securing sites and the very great difficulty of getting labour and materials for them.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSWas it not known for 10 years that this colliery was going to be put down; and is the Noble Lord not aware that another colliery village, equally large, within a few miles, will be in a few years' time in an exactly similar position to Armthorpe?