§ 45. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are now being taken in the elementary schools in Palestine to enable children to learn English?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE. for the COLONIES (Mr. Malcolm MacDonald)Since the beginning of the British occupation, English has been taught in all Government elementary schools in the towns. In the Arab village schools, English is only taught in exceptional cases where the size of the school or other circumstances justify it. English is also taught in the town schools controlled by the General Council of the Jewish community, and in nearly all other town schools, but is not taught, except in a few cases, in the schools in the Jewish agricultural settlements.
§ Mr. PALINGHas the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been drawn to the circular issued to Members, stating that 75 per cent. of the total of the Arab children do not go to school because there are no schools for them?
§ Mr. MacDONALDMy attention has not been drawn to the circular.