§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the percentage of immigrant schoolchildren 408W in Huddersfield; and how this compares with other county boroughs in the West Riding of Yorkshire.
§ Mr. Denis Howell:The following is the information:
MAINTAINED PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN HUDDERSFIELD AND OTHER COUNTY BOROUGHS IN THE WEST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE County Boroughs Immigrant pupils as a percentage of all pupils in January, 1967 Huddersfield … … 7.2 Bradford … … 6.7 Dewsbury … … 3.8 Doncaster … … 1.5 Halifax … … 1.7 Leeds … … 3.5 Rotherham … … 1.0 Sheffield … … 2.2 Wakefield … … 0.9
§ Sir C. Osborneasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is aware that some Loughborough, Leicestershire, schools are deprived centres, because children are arriving weekly from India, Pakistan, and East Africa, many unable to speak English; and what particular safeguards he is taking in these areas to prevent English children's education suffering as a consequence.
§ Mr. Denis Howell:I know that the number of immigrant pupils in Loughborough schools is increasing. I understand that the local education authority have already appointed additional teachers to the schools most affected and are considering further appointments. The Department of Education and Science have special arrangements to provide additional teacher quotas and minor work building allocations where this is necessary to ensure the maintenance of educational standards for authorities where there is a high proportion of immigrant pupils. I am confident that the Leicestershire Education Authority are well able to maintain standards in their schools.
§ Sir C. Osborneasked the Secretry of State for Education and Science how many schools already have more than 10 per cent. coloured immigrant children; where they are mostly situated; what special problems they are creating; and what representations he has received from parents' associations, teachers and local education authorities, respectively, on this issue.
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§ Mr. Denis Howell:The available statistics do not distinguish between coloured and other immigrant children attending particular schools. In January, 1967, there were 1,780 schools in England and Wales with more than 10 per cent. immigrant pupils; of these, 1,087 were in Greater London and the South East, 284 in the West Midlands and 127 in Yorkshire. Problems may arise from the need to provide additional accommodation, extra teachers with relevant experience or training, appropriate teaching materials and any necessary ancillary help. One or two local teachers' associations concerned with teaching English to immigrant children have made constructive suggestions and I am in close touch with the local education authorities and keep myself informed of their difficulties. I have received no representations from parents' associations.