§ 37. Captain SPENCERasked the President of the Board of Education in how many aided and maintained secondary schools the tuition fee has been increased since 1930?
§ Sir D. MACLEANSince 1930, tuition fees have been increased at 21 secondary schools maintained by local education authorities, or aided by grant from the Board of Education.
§ Sir PERCY HARRISDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think it rather unwise, at a time of great industrial depression and distress, that parents should be asked to pay higher fees? Does he realise that it may lead to many suitable children being deprived of the opportunities of secondary education?
§ Sir D. MACLEANI have no doubt that in some cases hardship will be caused, but all relevant circumstances were taken into consideration when the decision was arrived at.
§ Sir P. HARRISIs it the policy of the Board to discourage the increase of fees generally?
Viscountess ASTORWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that, when we began to cut down on education in 1919, it had a disastrous effect on the country and cost us more in the end? Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to economise on children?
§ Sir D. MACLEANWe have to take into account the exceptional financial condition of the country. I assure both hon. Members that the most careful consideration is given to each one of these cases before consent is given.
§ 38. Captain SPENCERasked the President of the Board of Education whether he will state the number of aided and maintained secondary schools in which no tuition fees are charged, together with the number of pupils in attendance at such schools?
§ Sir D. MACLEANThe number of secondary schools in England and Wales in which no tuition fees were charged on 1st October, 1931, was 78, all of them being schools maintained by local education authorities. The number of pupils in these schools on that date was about 31,500.