§ 20. Sir H. BRITTAINasked the President of the Board of Education, what opportunities are afforded to the children in elementary and secondary schools to acquire a practical knowledge of cookery; and what percentage of those passing through the schools acquire this knowledge?
§ Lord E. PERCYIt is generally recognised that, wherever possible, practical instruction in domestic subjects, including cookery, should be given to the older girls in elementary schools, and the latest complete returns show that 480,954 girls, out of 991,402 aged 11 and over on the registers, received such instruction. I regret that I have no corresponding figure as to pupils in secondary schools, but the Regulations provide that the curriculum for girls must include provision for practical instruction in domestic subjects.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINIs there any reason why a boy who shows aptitude should not learn something of this useful occupation?
§ Lord E. PERCYThere is no reason, but, generally speaking, the practical instruction given to boys naturally takes another form.