§ Mr. HARRISasked the President of the Board of Education whether he has any information as to the extent to which swimming and organised out-door games are included in the curricula of elementary schools: and how the position to-day compares with the position 10 years ago?
§ Lord E. PERCYNo statistics upon this subject have been specially collected by my Department, but swimming and out-door games form an important part of the school activities in many areas, and provision for them is increasingly recognised by local authorities as desirable.
§ Mr. HARRISOwing to the increasing importance attached to this side of the school syllabus, will the Noble Lord endeavour to collect that information, which would be a very valuable guide to educational authorities?
§ Lord E. PERCYI am constantly sending to local authorities circulars requesting statistics, and I would beg the hon. Member not to increase the number.
§ Sir H BRITTAINWill the Noble Lord send still one more, urging that every child that is passed as medically fit should have the opportunity of learning this most useful and healthy art?
§ Lord E. PERCYNo, Sir, I do not think that that would be desirable, because already there are complaints from all parts of the country that the Board's requirements involve a great deal too much interference with the curricula of the schools, and I do not think it would be desirable to add other requirements.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINMay I say that my idea was not that it should be put in the form of a requirement, but of a suggestion?
§ Lord E. PERCYI do not think that really any suggestion of that kind is needed; the local authorities are doing it.