§ 18. Mr. HARRISasked the President of the Board of Education how many training colleges for teachers have been closed during recent years, and what are their names; whether the closure of other trailing colleges is pending; if so, whether it is possible to give the names of the colleges; what is the present accommodation of the training colleges; what is the accommodation for residential and day students, respectively; and whether, having regard to the increasing number of students in training for three and four years instead of two years, there has been during recent years any substantial reduction in the number of teachers annually completing their training?
§ Lord E. PERCYAs the answer contains a number of figures I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ In the last five years two training colleges—Bristol Municipal College of Domestic Subjects and Sheffield College of Domestic Science—have been closed, and the closure of two others—Manchester City Training College and the Home and Colonial College at Wood Green—is pending. The approved number of recognised students in University Training Departments and Technical Col- 2435 leges for the current year is 17,332, of which 12,383 are resident and 4,749 are day students. In addition, it is open to each college to admit private (i.e., non-aided) students at its discretion, provided that the total number of students, recognised and private, does not exceed the capacity of the college to make satisfactory provision for their accommodation, instruction and training. There has been no reduction in recent years in the number of students annually completing their training, the figures for the last four years being:
| 1923–1924 | … | … | … | 7,659 |
| 1924–1925 | … | … | … | 7,753 |
| 1925–1926 | … | … | … | 7,789 |
| 1926–1927 | … | … | … | 7,981 |