§ 20. Mr. DAYasked the President of the Board of Education what action he now proposes to take, either by way of legislation or the introduction of regulations against schools which do not comply with the board's standards of either educational or sanitary conditions, so as to enable children attending those schools to receive an adequate education under suitable conditions; and whether he will state the number of schools still on the black list and consider publishing a list of them?
§ The MINISTER of EDUCATION (Mr. Oliver Stanley)On the evidence at present before me, I do not consider that further powers beyond those already possessed by the board and local education authorities, under the Education Act and the Code of Regulations for Public Elementary Schools, are required in order to deal with the problem of defective school premises. I would invite the hon. Member's attention to paragraphs 5, 6 and 7 of the board's Circular 1444, which was issued in January last, and of which I am sending him a copy. The number of schools still in one or other of the categories of the board's list of schools with defective premises is 1,078. I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by publishing the list.
§ Mr. DAYCan the right hon. Gentleman say what is the proportion of schools which do not comply with the Board's regulations?
§ Mr. STANLEYNot without notice.
§ Mr. DAYCan the Minister give any reason why he refuses to publish the black list so that people may know what schools they are?
§ Mr. STANLEYI gave the reason, which is that I did not think any useful purpose would be served by doing so.