§ Mr. A. T. DAVIESasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that considerable numbers of Canadian and United States students are now visiting Europe for educational purposes; whether students of primary, secondary, or public schools, or of training colleges or universities in this country are being encouraged to visit other countries for educational purposes; whether State assistance is given in this matter; and what has been its nature and amount during the past 12 months?
§ Mr. TREVELYANMy attention has been called to the fact stated in the first part of the question. As regards primary schools, short visits of pupils to France have from time to time been arranged by local education authorities. As regards secondary schools, there are a number of unofficial schemes for exchange both of teachers and pupils in operation at the present time; and under a convention between the Board of Education and the. French Ministry of Public Instruction a number of young teachers and intending teachers of modern languages are appointed each year to the secondary schools and training colleges of each country. During the present school year there have been 56 English students in France and 44 French students in England under this convention. Assistance was also given during the year 1923–24 to six teachers and intending teachers to take courses of study abroad, at an estimated cost of £480. I hope that in the result of the Imperial Education Conference of last summer more effective arrangements for the interchange of teachers with the Dominions may be developed.