§ 30. Mr. HARRISasked the President of the Board of Education whether he will give the accommodation provided by the 665 schools, in List A of Schools, which appear to be unsuitable for continued recognition and incapable of improvement, and the number of children in attendance at those schools; and whether he will give the number of such schools under each education authority?
§ Lord E. PERCYThe total number of children on the books of the departments affected in these schools is 166,804. To give the total accommodation which these departments are at present recognised as providing would be misleading, as it would include a quantity of nominal, as 691 opposed to effective, accommodation. As regards the second part of the question, I should prefer not to publish a list by areas until I can also give information as to the steps which authorities propose to take during the next four years to deal with these schools. Proposals in regard to a number of them are already included in the revised forecasts.
§ Mr. HARRISDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that this problem is urgent, and that the injury to the children concerned can never be made up in their future life?
§ Lord E. PERCYIt is so urgent that I have suggested to the authorities that they should go ahead at once.