§ 32. Mr. George Thomasasked the Minister of Education how many schools in Cardiff are equipped with electric lighting; and how many schools are entirely dependent on gas lighting.
§ Miss WilkinsonI understand that in Cardiff all secondary school and 35 primary school buildings have electric lighting: 20 primary school buildings have gas lighting, the majority of these being voluntary schools.
§ Mr. ThomasIs the Minister aware that a considerable proportion of the maintained schools of that authority have this hopelessly antiquated gas lighting, and would she try to persuade the authority to get a better system?
§ Miss WilkinsonIt is rather sweeping to say that gas lighting is necessarily antiquated. The regulations do not lay down any particular form of lighting, but only that it should be adequate.
§ Mr. ThomasIs the right hon. Lady aware that I have taught in these schools under these conditions—
§ Sir Waldron SmithersToo much gas.
§ Mr. ThomasYes, but gas of the right sort. Is the Minister also aware that children are suffering in those schools from very poor lighting?
§ Miss WilkinsonYes, but the gas lighting fittings are old-fashioned. We do not prescribe that the lighting should be gas or electricity but that the lighting should be adequate.
§ Major Legge-BourkeWill the right hon. Lady give priority to the replacing of the lighting in schools where oil lamps are used?
§ 33. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Minister of Education at what date it is proposed to equip the school at Swansea Street, Cardiff, with proper lavatory accommodation.
§ Miss WilkinsonAs my hon. Friend was informed on 17th October, the local education authority propose to remedy the defects of the temporary school premises by restoring the damaged portion of the original school buildings in Moorland Road. In the meantime I understand that the children at Swansea Street Hall will continue to use the school lavatory accommodation which is close by.
§ Mr. ThomasIs the Minister aware that these children, who are four years of age, have to be conducted across one of the city's main streets in order to get to the lavatory accommodation? Will she, in view of the danger to these small children, take urgent and immediate action?
§ Miss WilkinsonWe have already restricted admission to children up to five years of age, and we have seen that teachers must be in attendance. I entirely agree that it is hopelessly unsatisfactory, and the authority are dealing with the situation, which everyone admits is unsatisfactory.
§ 34. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Minister of Education the total number of schoolchildren in the city of Cardiff; the total number in secondary grammar schools in Cardiff; the total number of children in secondary modern schools in Cardiff; and the total number of children over the age of II years in all age range schools in Cardiff.
§ Miss WilkinsonIn January, 1946, there were 31,662 children in grant-aided primary and secondary schools in Cardiff, excluding nursery and special schools. Of these 4,999 were in grammar schools; and 6,161 over the age of II years were in all-age schools. There were no secondary modern schools.