§ 30. Miss Baconasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many approved schools are run by local authorities, voluntary societies, and local committees, respectively.
§ Mr. VosperOf the 117 approved schools, 25 are managed by local authorities, 38 by religious or voluntary organisations, one by a limited company, one by an incorporated body, and the remaining 52 by local committees.
§ Miss BaconDoes not the right hon. Gentleman feel that it is a very unsatisfactory position that 50 approved schools in the country should not be under the jurisdiction either of children's committees of local authorities or of suitable voluntary organisations, but be in the hands of local and self-appointed committees? Will he give an assurance that in any future legislation all approved schools to which children are sent by courts will be under an appropriate authority?
§ Mr. VosperI realise that to someone like the hon. Lady, who has considerable knowledge of the management of approved schools, this seems rather a strange system. Since the beginning of the year, my right hon. Friend and I have visited more than a dozen approved 613 schools and have found some very enthusiastic and efficient managers. I cannot quite give the assurance the hon. Lady asks for, but my right hon. Friend is considering the possibility of improving the existing arrangements for the management of these schools.