§ Mr. KINGasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that before the War certain education authorities allowed an expenditure of only half-a-crown per child for school material, and that for a school year of forty-four weeks this allows for school material three farthings a week per child; whether he is aware that recently, while prices have increased about 40 per cent., simultaneously many authorities have cut down the amounts previously allowed, with the result that education is starved and the labour of teaching is wasted; and whether inspectors are being instructed to require that sufficient school material shall be provided in all elementary schools?
§ Mr. LEWISI am aware that some authorities have adopted some such average allowance. In spite of all the? difficulties and shortage of material caused by the War, I do not think it can fairly be said that many authorities are starving education and wasting the labour of teaching. It is the practice of His Majesty's inspectors to look into the sufficiency of school material as a matter affecting the general efficiency of the instruction, but I must remind the hon. Member that the inspectorate is greatly depleted.