HC Deb 07 April 1932 vol 264 cc296-7
29. Mr. McENTEE

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of places for boys and girls in the secondary schools of England and Wales, and the number of free places for each sex in each county?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Sir Donald Maclean)

On the 31st March, 1931, there were approximately 217,000 boys and 194,000 girls on the registers of grant-aided secondary schools in England and Wales. On the same date there were approximately 102,000 boys and 91,000 girls holding free places. I am sending the hon. Member a list showing the number of free place pupils in the area of each county and county borough.

Mr. McENTEE

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he is considering any increase in the percentage of free places in secondary schools?

Sir D. MACLEAN

Not at the present time.

Mr. RHYS DAVIES

Is it not a fact that the number of free places is being curtailed in some localities?

Sir D. MACLEAN

That is so in some places.