27. Miss Wardasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the declining number of girls and boys being sent to approved schools and the increased cost often due to the maintenance of those schools on full running efficiency, he will, in the interest of economy, close the appropriate number of schools and concentrate the effort on fewer schools.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeThe amount of approved school accommodation available is kept under constant review in relation to the demand. During the last five years, 18 schools which had become surplus to requirements have been closed, and two reduced in size. Two more schools are to close at the end of this month.
Miss WardWill the Minister bear in mind that there are many voluntary 1102 managers of these schools who think that his policy might be implemented a little more quickly? Should I be in order in suggesting that if he could save a little more money he could apply it to dealing with the pre-Oaksey widows?
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeI see very little connection between the two matters. The fact is that in approved schools a margin has always to be kept for contingencies—about 10 per cent. for boys and 15 per cent. for girls—and the figure for new accommodation available fits in with that requirement.
§ Miss HerbisonWill the Minister remember that in this matter he is dealing, not with a number of inanimate objects, but with young people who have already found it difficult to fit themselves into society? If he is going to make any further disclosures about future reorganisation, will he always keep before him the need for keeping these young people in their own age-groups, and in the categories in which they are at present?
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeI am giving the matter constant attention, and I shall certainly bear that requirement in mind.