HC Deb 15 July 1931 vol 255 cc459-60
62. Mr. EDE

asked the President of the Board of Education in how many aided and maintained secondary schools, respectively, fees have been altered since 1919, giving the numbers of those raised and lowered, respectively, in each group?

Mr. MORGAN JONES

In aided schools the tuition fee has been raised in 430 schools and lowered in 23. In maintained schools it has been raised in 445 schools and lowered or abolished in 36.

Mr. EDE

In view of the decrease in wages and salaries among people who send their children to these schools, will the hon. Gentleman consider asking the local authorities to revise downwards the fees in that very large number of schools?

Mr. JONES

I will convey that suggestion to my right hon. Friend.

63. Mr. EDE

asked the President of the Board of Education what steps the board takes to see that the standard of fee-paying entrants to secondary schools is not below that of free places?

Mr. JONES

The regulations for secondary schools provide that the minimum standard of an entrance test must be the same for fee-paying pupils and for free place pupils.