§ Mr. LOWTHasked the President of the Board of Education what is the proportion of children attending elementary schools who pass through secondary schools to universities in England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, the United States of America, France, and Belgium?
§ Mr. TREVELYANI fear it would be difficult for me to answer in terms of definite proportions. The latest complete figures at my disposal show that, on 31st March, 1920, there were on the registers of public elementary schools approximately 661,000 pupils between the ages of 10 and 11; that is, shortly before admission to grant-aided secondary schools normally begins. The number of ex-public elementary school pupils admitted to secondary schools on the grant list in the year 1920–21 was, approximately, 64,000; and of the pupils over 12 who left secondary schools on the grant list in 1920–21, 4.2 per cent. proceeded to Universities. This figure is exclusive of intending teachers who entered University Training Departments, or pupils who may have proceeded to the University after attending other schools or institutions. I regret that the Board of Education cannot give the comparative figures for which my hon. Friend asks. The statistical bases for them do not, as far as I know, exist; but I am anxious to obtain and have available comparative particulars of educational1938W progress in foreign countries, and I am now considering what can be done in this direction.