§ 15. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of primary and secondary classes in Glasgow where the roll exceeds the maximum number of pupils prescribed by the Schools Code.
§ Mr. Henderson StewartOn 4th February, 1955, the latest date for which information is available, 353 primary 1131 classes and 189 secondary classes were over the maximum size prescribed in the Schools (Scotland) Code, 1950.
§ Mr. RankinDoes the Minister not agree that, in view of the very rosy picture painted by the Prime Minister last week, this is a ghastly figure, and not at all in keeping with the picture he painted for English education? Is the hon. Gentleman further aware that the figures are made even worse by the fact that the maximum number prescribed by the English Code is much lower than that prescribed by the Scottish Code?
§ Mr. StewartNobody particularly welcomes these figures, but we may as well get them into perspective. Of these oversize classes, 94 per cent. exceeded the Code by five or fewer children.
§ Mr. RankinSurely the Minister is aware that when the Code prescribes 40 pupils in the primary schools, an increase of five is very serious?
§ Mr. StewartThe primary school figure is 45 and not 40.
§ Mr. RankinThat admission by the Joint Under-Secretary makes his answer even worse.