HC Deb 03 March 1927 vol 203 cc545-6
32. Mr. DALTON

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that in new schools now being built by the London County Council the sanitary accommodation is below that of the Board's Building Regulations of 1914; and whether he will take steps to see that the standard hitherto enforced in respect of the building and remodelling of public elementary schools is pre[...]

Lord E. PERCY

I am aware that, in the case of some girls' departments, the County Council have provided rather less sanitary accommodation than that previously required under the Building Regulations of 1914. Authorities are free to suggest a departure from the current practice where it appears to them desirable to do so; but no individual proposal is approved until the Board are satisfied that the accommodation of all kinds to be provided is adequate having regard to the particular circumstances of the case.

Mr. DALTON

Will the Noble Lord take the opinion of a competent medical authority before sanctioning any reduction in the sanitary accommodation of the schools?

Lord E. PERCY

I always take the opinion of very competent medical authority.

Mr. DALTON

Will the Noble Lord act upon it?

Lord E. PERCY

Yes.

Mr. J. HUDSON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the reductions that have been suggested by the local authority are largely the result of the pressure he has put upon them by his Circulars?

Lord E. PERCY

No, I am not aware of that at all, and I should have thought that an attitude of dealing with this question on the basis of the merits of the actual case, and not on the basis of paper Regulations, was one to which no reasonable person could object.