§ Sir W. SMITHERSasked the President of the Board of Education what was the cost of elementary education per child for the years 1934 and 1935 in the counties of Glamorgan, Monmouthshire, and Carmarthen, respectively; what was the average cost for Wales and for the whole Country for the same periods; and whether he is satisfied that the education authorities in South Wales are carrying out their duties efficiently?
Mr. STANLEYThe cost per child of Elementary Education is as follows:
— 1934–35. (Provisional) 1935–36. £ s. d. £ s. d. Glamoragan 14 10 8 16 1 7 Monmouthshire 12 10 7 13 13 6 Carmarthensbire 12 18 11 14 9 9 Wales 13 12 0 14 18 8 England and Wales 13 3 5 14 7 10 While the progress made with re-organisation of the Public Elementary Schools in South Wales, on the lines advocated in the Hadow Report, has fallen short of that achieved in many other areas, I am satisfied that speaking generally, and having regard to the hampering effect of industrial depression, the Local Education Authorities in South Wales are carrying out their duties efficiently.
§ Sir W. SMITHERSasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that during the last 10 years the average attendance in elementary schools in the country of Glamorgan has declined by 6,650, while during the same period the increase in elementary education expenditure is £184,000; and what is the explanation?
715W
Mr. STANLEYThe Board's records show that between 1925–26 and 1935–36 the average attendance in elementary schools in the County of Glamorgan declined by 8,212 and the expenditure on elementary education increased by £139,587. The difference in expenditure is accounted for under the following heads:
£ Salaries of Teachers 59,117 (increase) Employers' contributions under Superannuation Acts 26,810 (new charge) Loan Charges 8,293 (increase) Administration 1,250 (decrease) Other Expenditure 23,408 (increase) Medical and Special Services 23,209 (increase) The reason for the bulk of the increases is indicated generally in the folowing notes.
Salaries of Teachers—Improvement in the quality of staff and reduction in the size of large classes.Loan Charges—Replacement of schools with defective premises and reorganisation.Other Expenditure—Higher assessments of school buildings, with increased rates; better equipment especially for senior children; capital expenditure out of revenue.Medical and Special Services—Strengthening of medical service staff; establishment of a new school for the blind; increased provision of milk for necessitous and undernourished children.In Glamorgan the decline in the elementary school population is fairly evenly distributed, and my hon. Friend will appreciate that where this is the case schools cannot as a rule be closed and that there are many items of expenditure upon which proportionate savings cannot be effected.