HC Deb 23 November 1936 vol 318 cc34-5
58. Mr. PETHERICK

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can state, for London and the rest of the country, respectively, the average hours of work both in school and at home of the children in secondary schools?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Shakespeare)

The hours of actual work in secondary day schools in London and elsewhere are normally of the order of 25 hours a week. The amount of time devoted to homework varies so much with each individual child that it would be impossible to reduce any available information to a statistical basis.

Mr. PETH ER I C K

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that excessive homework is being done by a large number of children all over the country, and will he consider calling a conference of education committees and education authorities with a view to discussing this question?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

There is homework and homework.

Mr. LEES-SMITH

May I ask whether the inquiry which the board is undertaking into homework is complete, and whether the hon. Gentleman proposes to make any public statement?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

It is nearly complete. Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will put down a question later, in about a week's time.