§ Mr. R. RICHARDSONasked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that it is the custom of local education authorities when filling up vacancies in their secondary schools to do so by examination, and that free placers and fee-paying students are examined at one and the same time, and that the children doing best are selected for the free places and the remaining places are filled up by asking the parents of children not securing free places in rotation; that many parents because of lack of means are compelled to refuse fee-paying places, and that by such a method the last name on the list may secure entry; and will he, in the light of securing the best pupils, enable local education authorities to adopt free secondary education?
§ Mr. TREVELYANCircumstances differ, but I believe that in Durham County the position is as stated. As I announced in reply to the hon. Member for Wellingborough (Mr. Cove) on the 31st February last, I am prepared to consider on their merits applications from local education authorities for the Board's sanction to the abolition of fees.
§ Mr. DIXEYasked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the widespread desire for increased secondary school facilities in different parts of the country, he will favourably consider any applications he may receive from education authorities for loans for new buildings, or for additions to, or adaptation of, existing buildings, with a view to the provisions of such money as may be needed on easy and favourable terms?
§ Mr. TREVELYANAs I have already announced to the House, I am prepared to consider very sympathetically proposals for the development of secondary education, and where necessary to recommend the Ministry of Health to sanction loans for the purpose.