§ 23. Mr. MARCHasked the President of the Board of Education how many of the 52 public elementary schools of the county of Hereford reported in 1925 as 1191 having no water supply at all are still without such a supply; what are the names of the public elementary schools in that county still without water; what steps are being taken to make those schools comply with the Board's Regulations in respect of a water supply; and at what date the provision of a water supply to those schools may be expected?
§ Lord E. PERCYI have no particulars which would enable me to give a detailed reply to this question, but I should be glad to make inquiries into any specific cases of inadequate water supply which the hon. Member may be able to bring to my notice.
§ Mr. COVEDoes not the Noble Lord regara it as the duty of his Department to make these inquiries, in order that the schools may be put into a proper sanitary condition in this respect?
§ Lord E. PERCYNo, Sir; the object of the Black List was to make a survey of the schools where there was the most urgent need for remedying defects, and to concentrate the attention of the local authorities and school managers on that list. Unless we can concentrate attention on that list, we shall not make the progress that we ought to make, and I do not want to divert the local authorities from that object.
§ Mr. TREVELYANDid not Sir George Newman report specifically on a great many counties in relation to the question of water supply, giving details?
§ Lord E. PERCYI should require notice of that question.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODDoes not the Noble Lord think that it is a disgrace that at this time there should be schools in England which have no water supply?
§ Mr. COVEIs the Noble Lord aware that the reports of the medical officers of health refer specifically to these cases, and can he not, therefore, get details from the people who made the reports?
Dr. VERNON DAVIESIs my Noble Friend in constant consultation with the Minister of Health in regard to this matter?
§ Lord E. PERCYYes, Sir.