65. Miss Rathboneasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many State scholarships have been awarded to boys and girls, respectively, for each of the years 1931 to 1937?
Mr. LindsayAs the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the information:
Mr. LindsayThe board's present policy is to secure the reduction of the size of all classes for older children to a maximum of 40 on the books, and of all classes for juniors and infants to a maximum of 50. My Noble Friend does not consider that the time has yet arrived for the reduction of the size of all classes to 40, but, as regards classes for older children, the board are actively encouraging authorities to reduce classes to this size.
Mr. HarveyWill the hon. Gentleman instruct his inspectors to report all cases where there are classes over 40 and where there is no structural obstacle in the way of reducing the size of the classes?
Mr. LindsayThe matter is not quite as simple as that. There are cases on new estates where there are new schools in which there are large classes but there are also cases in older schools where the classes are well under 40 and sometimes as low as 20.
§ Sir Percy HarrisShould not the classes for smaller children be of the same size as the classes for older children? Does the hon. Gentleman seriously contend that it is easier to teach 50 small children than it is to teach 50 older children?