HC Deb 06 May 1926 vol 195 cc425-6
6. Mr. H. WILLIAMS

asked the President of the Board of Education the increase in the number of children in State-aided secondary schools in England and Wales on 31st March, 1926, as compared with 30th September, 1924, and the decrease in the number of children attending public elementary schools during the same period.

Lord E. PERCY

The latest ascertained figures relate to the year 1925. On the 1st October, 1925, the number of registered pupils in grant-earning secondary schools was 367,290, an increase of 7,669 over the number on the 1st October, 1924. On the 31st March, 1925, the number of children on the registers of public elementary schools in England and Wales was 5,581,446, a decrease of 28,166 from the number on the 31st March, 1924. No figures can be given for the number of children actually attending public elementary schools on a particular date, as "average attendance" is an average calculated over a period.

Mr. PALING

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what percentage of the increased number in the school attendance is due to scholarship children?

Lord E. PERCY

I suppose, the hon. Member means in secondary schools. I have given that figure in public, but I cannot recall it at the moment. If, however, the hon. Member will put down a question, I will give him the information.