§ 22. Mr. BARKERasked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that Sir George Newman in his last Report states that 57,395 children attending school in 1925 were suffering from latent 1089 tuberculosis, malnutrition, debility, and anæmia; and what steps have been taken to provide the necessary open-air recovery schools for such children?
§ Lord E. PERCYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, it must not be assumed that additional accommodation is required in open-air schools for anything approaching the number of children mentioned, since most of these children would need to attend open-air schools for only a relatively short period. In the past eighteen months, the accommodation open-air schools has been increased by some 900 places, and proposals have been approved for over 1,500 further places, apart from proposals now under consideration. In addition, a number of local education authorities have included proposals for new open-air schools in their programmes.
§ Mr. HARRISAre we to gather that the right hon. Gentleman will favour ably consider fresh applications for grants for more open air schools?
§ Lord E. PERCYYes, in general, where open-air schools are needed, I will.