§ 16. Mr. R. RICHARDSONasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the 40–48 scheme approved by the Board for the London area permits as many as 53 pupils on the roll in infant schools and 44 on the roll in senior departments; and for how long do the Board propose to sanction schemes where the size of classes exceed the limit laid down in the Circular issued to local authorities, namely, 50 on the roll 11 junior departments and 40 on the roll in senior departments?
§ Lord E. PERCYI am aware that the 40–48 scheme allows a slightly larger number of children to be carried on the register without the class being normally in excess of those figures. As I informed the hon. Member on 22nd November last, I think it would be undesirable for the Board to disturb the agreement made with the London County Council in 1912 and renewed in 1924.
§ Mr. RICHARDSONWill the right hon. Gentleman bring pressure to bear on the London County Council to get down to those figures?
§ Lord E. PERCYThat is the same question. I think, when you are engaged on a particular piece of administration for the improvement of the schools on certain lines, you had better attain your end along those lines before starting to do something further.