40. Mr. David Adamsasked the President of the Board of Education whether all schoolchildren are now receiving full-time education; if not, what number are receiving no education, and why; and also the numbers receiving only part-time education?
§ The President of the Board of Education (Mr. Butler)I have no later information than that given in reply to the hon. Member for the English Universities (Mr. E. Harvey) on 19th June. Figures for the week ended 12th July are now being 1527 collected and I will send them to the hon. Member when they are available, together with the explanation he desires.
Mr. AdamsDoes not the right hon. Gentleman agree that many changes must have happened in this matter since 19th July, and could not the figures be made available to the House? Are there still numbers of schoolchildren receiving no education?
§ Mr. ButlerI am glad to say that there is only a small number, under one per cent., of children receiving no education, and I think that is a very remarkable figure in the circumstances. I have told the hon. Member that I will give him the figures for the week ending 12th July directly I have them, and I will also make them available to the House.
§ Mr. Rhys DaviesIs the Board satisfied that the school attendance officers employed by the local authorities are able in the difficult circumstances prevailing to perform their duties as effectively during the war as in peace time?
§ Mr. ButlerIt is my opinion that they are.