§ 42. Mr. Sorensenasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is now satisfied that all children in evacuable areas, including London, are now receiving education; what progress is being made towards full-time instruction; whether there have been or are likely to be secondary schools recently re-opened in the London and extra-Metropolitan areas; and what arrangements he is making respecting the possible diminution in the number of scholars attending 302 evacuated schools and the corresponding increase of secondary school scholars requiring education next autumn in evacuable areas?
§ Mr. RamsbothamInformation regarding the progress made in the resumption of educational facilities in evacuation areas since 15th April, for which date figures were supplied to the hon. Member on 2nd May will not be available until returns showing the position to-morrow have been received by the Board. As regards the last part of the Question it is contemplated that evacuated children who gain admission to secondary schools should take up their places in schools in the reception areas since it would be contrary to the Government's policy to bring them back to the area from which they were evacuated in the interests of their safety.
§ Mr. SorensenDoes the Minister realise that next autumn we shall find a considerable diminution in the number of scholars attending secondary schools in reception areas and an increasing number wishing to use the secondary schools in their own home areas; and has he taken that matter into consideration?
§ Mr. RamsbothamI think we had better wait and see what happens next autumn.