BOYS' SCHOOL, BLAINA.

HC Deb 19 January 1937 vol 319 cc23-4

53. Mr. Johnston

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the physical condition of the children in the boys' school at Blaina, Monmouthshire, where the headmaster has reported that 50 per cent. of his pupils are undersized and underfed, poorly clad and badly shod; and, seeing that only 18 per cent. receive free milk and that the grants to the Monmouthshire education authority are insufficient to provide adequate necessities, will he state what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

Mr. Shakespeare

My attention has been called to the physical condition of the children in the boys' school at Blaina, which is not satisfactory, though on my present information I cannot fully accept the headmaster's statement. I should welcome increased provision of free milk in this and other schools in Monmouthshire, but I understand that this provision is restricted by the severe income scale at present in force. This question has recently been discussed with representatives of the local education authority, and I understand that the authority are considering the question of introducing a more generous income scale.

Mr. Johnston

If the hon. Gentleman cannot accept the headmaster's statement on the matter, is he not prepared to accept the statement made by two officers of the medical officer of health of the county who re-examined these children in January this year and discovered that children of 15 years of age were on an average 16 lbs. under weight, that 40 of the boys were sitting in school with damp feet, and that poverty and despair were all over the district?

Mr. Shakespeare

My attention has been called to that report, which did not bear out the statement of the headmaster. As regards the boots, I understand that a fund has been raised to provide boots for the children.

Mr. Johnston

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that the official inquiry shows that the condition of affairs is worse than the original statement made by the headmaster?

Mr. Shakespeare

It did not approximate to the statement of the headmaster at all.