§ 20. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the President of the Board of Education what 2450 elementary school accommodation there is at Dunscroft and Stainforth, near Don-caster; how many children are being taught in temporary schools; the number of temporary schools; and how many children of school age are receiving no education at all?
§ Lord E. PERCYAs the reply to this question is rather long, and contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Following is the answer:
The district of Stainforth (Thorne), near Doncaster, is served at present by the Stainforth Council School, which provides 644 places, of which 370 are in a temporary iron building, and 100 are in a Sunday school and Church room. All these places are filled, and information in the Board's possession, about a year ago, suggests that there were then nearly 150 children of school age awaiting admission. Owing to the rapid colliery developments in the neighbourhood this number may have subsequently increased. Plans for a new school for about 1,000 children have been approved, and the first instalment of 500 places is understood to be nearing completion. As regards Dunscroft, which is situated in the adjoining civil parish of Hatfield, the public elementary school accommodation consists of the council school at Hatfield Woodhouse and the Travis Church of England school, which together provide 262 places (150 and 112 respectively). In addition, the local authority have recently re-opened a small school near the Travis school, providing 57 places for infants. Against this total accommodation of 319 places, the average number of children on the registers for the year ended 31st March, 1924, was 225. In order to meet the needs of Dunscroft itself, the authority issued in November last public notice of their intention to provide a new school for about 600 children, and I understand that they are now in active negotiation for a suitable site.
The hon. Member may rest assured that the question of school supply in this and other rapidly developing mining areas of the West Riding is receiving, and will continue to receive, the constant and active attention of the Board and the local authority, and that all possible 2451 steps will be taken, so far as the existing shortage of labour and materials permit, to see that the provision of schools keeps pace with housing developments.
§ 21. Mr. WILLIAMSalso asked the President of the Board of Education what provision, if any, is being made to prepare for the elementary school requirements in the town of Thorne, near Doncaster?
§ Lord E. PERCYThe local authority gave public notice on 31st January last of their intention to provide additional public elementary school accommodation for about 350 children, and it is understood that plans are now in the course of preparation for submission to my Department.