HC Deb 27 March 1930 vol 237 cc590-1
38. Dr. MARION PHILLIPS

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will consider the advisability of requiring, as a condition of grant, the installation of electric cooking, lighting and cleaning apparatus in all domestic science teaching centres,, as and when current becomes available, in order that pupils may gain experience in household management on the most scientific lines as well as with the old-fashioned unhygienic and labour-making apparatus now common in the houses of many areas?

Sir C. TREVELYAN

I am not prepared to require, as a condition of grant, that electrical apparatus should be installed in premises to be used for the teaching of domestic science, wherever current is available, as I consider that this is a matter on which the decision should be taken by the local education authorities, who are familiar with the local conditions in each case. I may mention, however, that electrical apparatus is available at all the domestic training colleges, and that the Board are including a course on the subject of its use among the short courses for teachers which are to be held this summer.

Dr. PHILLIPS

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is very important to encourage in the domestic science centres the very best methods of housekeeping, cooking and cleaning, and that, if he encouraged local authorities in every possible way to have such apparatus, it would help materially in forwarding that principle?

Mr. SPEAKER

That is a matter of opinion.