§ Captain LOSEBYasked the President of the Board of Education if he will state 1497W the approximate percentage of national schools in England and Wales in which scientific physical training in the open air is given to the pupils; in what proportion of cases is the training given by expert teachers; and how many hours per week are given to this form of education?
§ Mr. FISHERI am afraid that it is not possible to give the percentages asked for by the hon. and gallant Member, but it may be said that it is the general practice in public elementary schools to take physical training in the open air, whenever the weather conditions permit; some schools possess open-air sheds suitable for the purpose. The instruction is given by the regular school staff, and the Board endeavour to secure that they shall possess the requisite knowledge. Some schools have a daily period of twenty minutes, but more often three periods of twenty minutes each are given to the subject each week.