HC Deb 25 July 1929 vol 230 cc1496-7W
Duchess of ATHOLL

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of classes in grant-aided schools which include more than 50 children in a class; the number of these classes which he estimates will have been reduced below 50 by 1st April, 1931; the number of additional teachers which will be entailed by such a reduction; by what date does he estimate that education authorities will have found it possible to reduce all such classes; and what will be the total additional number of teachers required for this purpose?

Sir C. TREVELYAN

The number of classes with more than 50 pupils was 16,686 on 31st March, 1928. Figures for 31st March, 1929, are not yet available, but should show a decrease. I am afraid I cannot give any reliable estimate as to the rate of reduction or the number of additional teachers required for this purpose. As the Noble Lady is aware, this is not an isolated problem, but is closely bound up with the problems of reorganisation, the Black List, and the needs of new housing estates.