§ Mr. ALLEN PARKINSONasked the President of the Board of Education whether a recent inspection of the elementary schools of England has been made; and, if so, how many have been reported as defective structurally and insanitary and how many as unfit for further use as elementary schools, respectively?
§ Lord EUSTACE PERCYThe inspection of public elementary schools is always in progress though the staff available for the work is limited. The information furnished by the inspector's reports has not been summarised in a way which would enable me to give the particulars asked for, but all serious cases are discussed with the local education authority in relation to their plans for the provision of school accommodation in the district, in order that, when the conditions require immediate action, what is necessary shall be done. Since 1914 there has been so much difficulty in building that many school buildings are now below the standard desirable, but every endeavour is made to secure that schools which are actually insanitary or otherwise unfit for use are either improved or replaced.