HC Deb 21 February 1946 vol 419 c1287
34. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Minister of Education the number and accommodation of single area schools under the control of the Church of England, in March, 1944, and January, 1946, respectively.

Miss Wilkinson

The number of Church of England voluntary schools in single school areas in England and Wales on 31st March, 1935, the latestdate for which statistics are available, was 4,141, and it is unlikely that the number has materially changed, though the tendency is for it to decrease. For the purpose of these figures a single school area is taken as a civil parish in which there is only one primary school. No account has been taken of the accessibility of schools in adjoining parishes. I regret that figures showing the accommodation in these schools are not available.

Mr. Gallacher

Is the Minister aware that when her predecessor introduced the Education Bill, he said he hoped that within a very short time at least 2,000 of these schools would come over to the local education authorities; and is she not of opinion that all of them should be taken over by the local authorities so that the children can get adequate and hygienic accommodation as well as adequate and hygienic education?

Miss Wilkinson

I shall have to await the development plans of the local authorities before it is possible to reply to the first part of the question. The second is a matter of opinion.