HC Deb 09 July 1931 vol 254 cc2250-2
32. Mr. EDE

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will state what steps he has taken to secure that the 51 elementary schools in the county of Nottingham reported by the chief medical officer to the board as being without any water supply at all in 1925, and the large number of schools in addition in that county reported upon by the same officer as having an unsatisfactory provision of drinking water, are supplied with proper drinking water on the premises; and in how many specific cases in each category have his efforts been successful?

Mr. LEES-SMITH

Some weeks ago I made an inquiry into the question of the water supply in the Nottinghamshire schools and found that the local education authority were alive to the position. Although I have not full details, there has been a good deal of improvement since the time to which my hon. Friend refers. In all except three schools water for washing is now provided and except in about seven cases drinking water is now available, if not on the school premises, at no great distance away.

Mr. EDE

In view of the fact that this preliminary report was made six years ago, is it not desirable that a very definite report should be made as to the progress that has been achieved?

Viscountess ASTOR

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there has been any progress made since the Socialists came into office?

34. Mrs. MANNING

asked the President of the Board of Education how many of the 52 elementary schools of the county of Herefordshire, reported as having no provision of drinking water in 1925 by the chief medical officer to the Board, have since been supplied with wholesome drinking water on the premises; and what steps he will take to secure that schools built before 1903 shall have the proper provision of drinking water on the premises which the Board's regulations require of schools built since that date?

Mr. LEES-SMITH

According to the latest information in my possession, there is only one school in Herefordshire where a water supply is not available. Since 1925 a piped supply has been laid on in at least four schools, and arrangements have been made in several other schools to convey a supply of drinking water to the school premises, or to improve the quality of the water supply already available. I understand also that in four cases new water supply schemes are contemplated. As regards the latter part of the question, it is the Board's general practice to take up all cases where the water supply appears to be unsatisfactory and capable of remedy.