§ 18. Mr. James Johnsonasked the Minister of Education the number of local education authorities that have opened county colleges since 1945; and the total number of county colleges and the total number of pupils receiving instruction.
§ Mr. TomlinsonNo county colleges on a compulsory basis have been opened, but in 1948–49 there were 160 separate voluntary day continuation schools provided or assisted by public authorities. In that year there were in all 141,000 students between 15 and 17 years of age attending over 700 part-time day classes in establishments of further education. The greater part of this development has taken place since 1945, but I cannot give precise figures.
§ Mr. JohnsonWill the Minister not agree that perhaps this total is somewhat low, in view of the high hopes we held in 1945?
§ Mr. TomlinsonIt depends on what the hopes were as to whether the total is low now. I do not think that it is a low total.