HC Deb 25 April 1940 vol 360 c347
14. Lieut.-Colonel Boles

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware of the plethora of schoolmasters in Horsington, Somerset, at present; and, in the interests of economy, what steps he will take in the matter?

The President of the Board of Education (Mr. Ramsbotham)

I understand that there are in Horsington three schoolmasters, namely, the headmaster of the local school, who has charge of children normally resident in the village, the headmaster of a Barking school, who has general charge of 62 children still remaining evacuated from his school to Horsington and three neighbouring villages, and an assistant master from that school, who teaches the evacuated children in Horsington. Staff has been withdrawn as the number of evacuees has decreased, and I understand that the Somerset local education authority are in consultation with the authority for Barking in regard to a further withdrawal.

Mr. Rhys Davies

Would the Minister regard three schoolmasters as a plethora, as suggested in the Question?

Mr. Ramsbotham

There are other schoolmasters in the other villages.