§ 14. Mr. DENNISONasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the latest returns of children attending secondary schools in Birmingham show a low percentage compared with most other cities, and that, as a result of recent Circulars received from the Board, the Birmingham education authority have been reducing the new provision which they had been intending to make for secondary education; and whether he will press the local authority to make increased provision?
§ Lord E. PERCYIt is true that the percentage of pupils in secondary schools in Birmingham is lower than the average percentage for the county boroughs as a whole, but I am surprised that the hon. Member should suggest that the authority have reduced the new provision that they had been intending to make. He must, presumably, be aware that I have already sanctioned the provision at King's Norton of a new girls' school, which is now in course of erection. I hope shortly to announce my decision as regards the proposed mixed secondary school at Saltley, and the provisional programme prepared by the education committee for t he years 1927–30 provides for an addition of 2,590 secondary school places.
§ Mr. DENNISONHas the Noble Lord seen the statement made by the chairman of the Birmingham Education Committee, deploring the fact that, in consequence of the request for cuts, they have been unable to extend the secondary education facilities Birmingham?
§ Lord E. PERCYNo. I have not seen that statement, but I have given the hon. Member the facts.
§ Mr. DENNISONThose are facts also.