§ 69. Mr. Lindsayasked the President of the Board of Education how many children have recently returned from reception areas to London; what is the attitude of his Department to this movement; and what steps he is taking to assist local education authorities in their difficult task?
§ Mr. ButlerIn the week ending 27th December, 1941, the estimated number of school children in the area of the London County Council was 157,142. In the week ending 7th March, 1942, the number was 180,599, an increase of 23,457. It is the considered view of the Government that evacuated children should remain in 1656 the receiving area, and parents have been repeatedly urged not to bring them home to the vulnerable areas. As regards the last part of the Question, the Board are using all practicable means to assist local education authorities to provide suitable educational facilities for those children who have returned.