HC Deb 23 July 1931 vol 255 cc1666-7
42. Mr. EDE

asked the President of the Board of Education what steps he has taken to ascertain what action has been taken by the local education authorities on his permission to increase the number of free places in secondary schools?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Lees-Smith)

Local education authorities and governing bodies have been informed in Circular 1412 of the special arrangements which the Board are prepared to approve to increase the award of free places for the school year 1931–32. The returns which will enable me to say to what extent they have availed themselves of these arrangements are not yet available.

Mr. EDE

Is my right hon. Friend making arrangements to get such returns before the opening of the secondary school educational year in September?

Mr. LEES-SMITH

It will be too late to take any action now, but I propose to obtain returns in order to decide what action to take next year.

Mrs. MANNING

Is my right hon. Friend aware that it would be quite possible for local education authorities to have supplementary scholarship lists made?