HC Deb 04 May 1950 vol 474 cc230-1W
127. Wing-Commander Bullus

asked the Minister of Education how many children in the schools of England and Wales are at present being taught in overcrowded conditions.

Mr. Tomlinson

" Overcrowded conditions " is a relative term. The most relevant information I can make available is contained in the table which follows, though I must not be regarded as committed to the view that children registered as pupils of a class which exceeds the prescribed maximum are necessarily being taught in overcrowded conditions.

should be borne in mind that in a number of cases, particularly in secondary schools, children are not taught in as large classes as are assembled for registration. There were 16,532 full-time teachers, other than head teachers, in secondary schools who were not in charge of classes compared with 54,161 full-time teachers in charge of classes.

135. Mr. Peart

asked the Minister of Education the number of classes of over 40 pupils, and of over 50 pupils, in April, 1949, and for April, 1950, respectively.

Mr. Tomlinson

The latest available information is for January, 1949, and is contained in the answer I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Horncastle (Commander Maitland) on 9th March last, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

Brigadier Medlicott

asked the Minister of Education how many children in the schools under his jurisdiction are being taught in classes larger than the number considered desirable as a maximum.

Mr. Tomlinson

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I have given today to the hon. Member for Wembley, North (Wing-Commander Bullus).